[barnaby33]

As to ominous trends, I was referencing you:

Yes, we have our great weather, the ocean, and hip culture. But the trends are ominous, and the future is dire compared to that of our neighboring states.

Pure unadulterated unsupported sophistry.

Sophistry, something which could be true, but is false. Also my favorite GRE word! Never made it through grad school but did love learning that word for the GRE.

Now back to ominous, another cherished GRE word. The whole world is suffering ominous trends. Overpopulation, resource limits and our concerted attempts to do nothing about them are the issue. Also on an economic front the bifuraction of our economy into winner take all tech and everything else with low margins is a real issue. California relatively is in a great position. It still has rich soil, a good (again relatively) education system and attracts the best and brightest in droves. What we haven’t figured out how to do is share that equitably with those who aren’t best, brightest or both, without turning into a full on socialist fantasyland. If you want to leave, by all means do. Utah is physically GORGEOUS. It is however intellectually speaking the 8th level of hell. It attracts refugees from rich places like CA. Folks who extracted their wealth from CA and are then reviled for ruining it (aka driving up prices) for, “average folks.” Plus it doesn’t have much water, or industry; I realize that’s not important if you’re retiring. Whatever ominous trends exist here, Utah and satellite states will always suffer it worse. When the Colorado river water finally gives out, California will get the majority of it, why? Because it’s where the people, the intellect and the industrial capacity are.

At a more personal and fundamental level flyer is right you don’t have to justify yourself to me or anyone else. I have to say however this thread, given what little I know about you just screams scared old white person running from a changing world and thats sad. You are or were a professor and that implies (one would hope) a thinker. To uproot yourself from the life you have known for 45 years because you don’t like change just seems sad. This thread would have been much more positive if it’d started out with, we’re leaving to go to X,Y,Z, not running from A,B,Change….
Josh

[barnaby33]

Wait if you moved here 45 years ago to teach that means you’re in your 70s at least. Ominous trends? How long are you planning to live? California has severe issues none of which you mentioned, but man you are engaging in sophistry to a T.
Josh

[barnaby33]

In San Diego I’m not sure you can attract competent staff for $15/hour!
Josh

[barnaby33]

[quote=sdrealtor]I think I might not be making my point. It was not as catastrophic BECAUSE it was pumped to be. People stayed home, businesses shut down, people wore masks and socially distanced. In the absence of that it would have been as catastrophic as it was pumped up to be. We dodged a much worse situation through the actions taken here and abroad.[/quote]

I am going to take the under on that one. Nobody knows what the death toll might have been that’s wild speculation. You can however measure the damage done by the economic toll it took upon the living. COVID was and is inter generational warfare. I say that as someone who obeys the mask wearing/virtue signaling crowd.

This disease is not lethal enough not even by half to even put a small dent in our society. Mostly it killed and injured those with serious pre existing conditions and the elderly. There were and are measures we should take to keep it from roaring back, but saying that the death toll was kept low because of the measures we took is seriously lacking in rigor.
Josh

[barnaby33]

I think you are over-romanticizing the Mo’s. Either way you’re writing as someone who’s smitten with a new adventure and hoping for the best.
Josh

[barnaby33]

Wherever it is, it sure seems affordable until all the locals slash your tires because you’re a California equity locust driving up local costs! Still good luck.
Josh

[barnaby33]

I alone have two Google re-pats. They left to take jobs with Google, but have since returned while keeping their jobs.
Josh

[barnaby33]

[quote=scaredyclassic]It only took me 60 years, but i can finally relate to my dad.
[/quote]

You forgot narcissistic. This thread isn’t about you. It’s about choices that a young man might make post college.
Josh

[barnaby33]

West? All jokes aside, I’m not sure anyone will have a good suggestion. Not since the Great Depression has our economy and culture been so turn asunder. I’d make one of three suggestions.

1)If he loves construction or the world of building buildings, stick with it. Take a job swinging a hammer or as a plumber for a year or two. It won’t hurt his long term prospects.

2) If not use this time to find out what you love. Too many of us graduated uni with no idea what we wanted to do. Peace corps? The civil engineer corps in the Seabees, both could be options to explore figuring it out.

3) Learn to code. The construction industry like every industry is undergoing radical change and software will be at the vanguard. Learning to program can help almost anyone in almost any career.
Josh

[barnaby33]

I have all Elfa Shelving. It’s modular easy to install and good enough. Plus right now it’s 30% off.
Josh

[barnaby33]

Well that’s selfish. How can we learn from a mistake you don’t make?
Josh

[barnaby33]

Sometimes it’s more than just money.

Yeah, even more money!
Josh

[barnaby33]

So maybe buy an Italian car instead?
Josh

[barnaby33]

My firsthand experience says this is wrong. Latin American countries experienced massive population growth in the last hundred years and most people aren’t farmers. There isn’t enough arable land in most Latin countries that isn’t already occupied. Infant morality rates have fallen pretty predictably as well.

People like to fuck. They hate wearing condoms. They probably always will. Education (of women) seems to be the key to lowering birthrates and is probably the single most important aspect of our near term future. Forget the US, birthrates here are falling and have been for most of my life.

[barnaby33]

Unless it’s a conspiracy!

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