SmallBizResource Blog -- Economy

Is Bad News Becoming Background Noise?

Posted by Gayle Kesten Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009, 02:53 PM ET

Another day, another low.

The latest batch of bad-news numbers comes from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, which reports microbusiness optimism at its second lowest level in their 35 years of NFIB survey-taking.

Also in the dumpster: plans for expansion, sales expectations for the coming six months, and, frankly, just about every other business indicator you can name.

I don't know about you, but lately I find myself with my hands over my eyes/ears, screaming, "Lalala!" I'm also in agreement with Ellis Henican, a columnist for my local paper, who observed that the phrase "bad news" is becoming redundant and pondered whether we could be reaching the point where all of these dire reports are losing their psychological oomph.

"This much is becoming clear: There is something deeply liberating when we learn to take it all a little less personally, when people of all faiths and of none acquire something like the detachment of Buddhists," Henican said. "Really, how many days of 'uh-oh' can anybody stand?"

Good question. I'd love to know your answer.

Economy