Gas prices are down. This is good news from one perspective, but there’s definitely a downside as well.

It’s pretty clear the oil companies use these fluctuations to keep the disgruntled consumer base off balance. A likely scenario is for prices to drop for a few months and then hit another major spike that pushes the average per-gallon rate above $4.

I’m not an economist. I’m just making an observation of what seems to be a pretty clear pattern.

I look forward to the near future when we’re off this ridiculous see-saw. And I’m not talking about the minor budgetary inconvenience of higher gas prices; I’m referring to the much bigger issue of our overall energy strategy.

Here’s something interesting to take note of: Now that the price of a gallon of gas has dropped significantly, see for yourself if you’re hearing less water cooler talk about alternative energy. The sad fact is, public opinion on energy policy rises and falls in direct proportion to the current prices at the pumps.

We have to grow past this as a people. It’s time for us to set goals, demand major policy shifts, and see these goals through.

It’s nice to have a break in prices at the pump. But it’s also critical that we stay focused on the need for alternative energy despite the lowering of oil prices.

It will be interesting to see what the next U.S. executive team does in the realm of new initiatives. I feel intuitively that even after the smoke has cleared, no matter who ends up in office, we will definitely see some very real shifts in the current direction of energy policy and practice.

It’s long over due. And the thought of going even another five years without launching one or more major programs is frankly horrifying.

I’d like to see big steps taken in the direction of wind, solar, and even nuclear energies before the end of the current decade. Once we commit there’s no doubt we’ll succeed but enough of this floundering already.

Take a look at California and the policies they’ve put into play in recent years. It’s inspiring to say the least and there’s no reason the rest of the country should settle for less.

I realize big change is not without some friction. Detroit was less than thrilled with many of the initiatives coming out of California because of the impact they had on the automotive industry. But I say better to take a couple on the chin now for the greater good than to keep moving in a direction that has major and destructive implications for the whole of society.

I’ve recently been blowing off some real steam about the somewhat ludicrous “work from home” community of late. Things have jsut reached critical mass after three years of working hard in this sector of the Web.

I’ve made a good living working with amateur Internet marketers but honestly I think some tough love is badly needed in this part of cyberspace. On that note here’s another rant…

There are literally millions of people online who say they want their own “Internet business”. But the truth is most of these individuals are lazy daydreamers who want to win the lottery.

Business and the lottery are two very different things. The Web seems full of people who don’t realize this.

Many people seem hung up on the idea that if they just keep going through the motions, they’ll eventually get the break they’re waiting for. In fact sentiments of “it’s going to happen if I keep trying” are common among wannabe Internet entrepreneurs.

Here’s the thing: Nothing happens for us unless we actively create it.

Another really bizarre phenomenon in the pretend Internet business sector is the huge number of people who have been “working online” for years without ever making their first sale. It’s incredible that such circumstances are accepted as normal.

Consider this:

Have you ever come across a plumber, accountant, dog trainer, landscaper, florist, or restaurant owner who says things like…

“Yeah I’ve been at this for five years and still haven’t made my first sale.”

or…

“I really need this to work out soon before I run out of money.”

Or have you ever heard someone who is about to start a new venture as a commercial cleaner, dentist, real estate investor, or hair stylist say things like…

“There isn’t a lot of work involved is there?”
or…

“Can I do this for two hours a week and still make six figures each year?”

or…

“Will I get my investment back in less than two weeks?”

Statements and questions like these would be considered absurd by any traditional businessperson. And yet such ridiculous sentiments are totally common when talking to people who want their own “Internet business”.

I submit that this kind of mentality (term used loosely) is ludicrous, and closer to the attitude of a lotto card gambling junkie than a real entrepreneur. Anyone who says such things and means them should seriously reconsider this whole “online business” thing.

Too many people seem to be looking for a cookie-cutter system that instantly puts them on track to be wildly successful. Even when offered legitimate coaching services, it’s quite common for people who claim to be Internet marketers to ask things like:

“How fast will I start making money after the coaching is complete?”

and…

“Will I get a refund if I don’t make any money?”

It’s an embarrassment to the whole industry of online commerce that people who claim to be Internet entrepreneurs have this kind of childish attitude about their so-called business. No other business niche breeds so many clueless, lazy, something-for-nothing crackpots.

It may be true that infomercials and manipulative copywriters help perpetuate this kind of get-rich-quick mentality. But the truth is the individual must take responsibility for his or her own expectations and actions.

Any form of business requires creativity, effort, risk, commitment, and time to become profitable. Online ventures are no exception.

Choosing to ignore these words and pursue an Internet marketing business with the something-for-nothing mentality is the fast track to frustration and failure. If you don’t love this business, it will crush you. The world of Internet marketing is no place for the wishy-washy, weak-kneed, or undecided entrepreneur.

Success as an entrepreneur is about being passionate, giving wholly of yourself, busting your ass, falling flat on your face and getting right back up, having a good crying jag from time to time, and reveling in the thrill of complete and total victory at the end of it all. Making real money online doesn’t come with the “I’ll scratch off the blocks and maybe match the icons for the prize” approach.

Can video gaming and Christianity co-exist? 

I saw the question above on a debate site recently. It struck me as funny so I decided to chime in, and here’s what I wrote…

Can video gaming and Christianity co-exist?  What a bizarre question.

First of all, whether proponents on either side of this odd little debate like it or not, both video games and numerous sects of Christian worshipers are sharing space and time in the same universe as I type this. So the short version of my answer is: yes a co-existence is both possible and in progress.

Having said this, I’ll now have a crack at what I assume is the more philosophical question at the core of this debate. Can video games continue to be manufactured without incurring the fiery wrath of God, and/or will the Christian religion survive in the wake of a growing population of inherently wicked game enthusiasts?

I’m going to have to “yes” again. What’s the big deal?

Granted there are members of the Christian society who believe they have been commissioned to help God judge the planet for its sins. Furthermore such self-righteous advocates tend to be in the business of defining exactly what sin is and is not.

And I’m led to believe by the fact this debate even exists that sufficient numbers of those calling themselves Christians object strongly to the existence of video gaming as an activity. I’m fairly certain nobody in the video game industry is lobbying to shut down the Southern Baptist Convention, for instance so until corrected I’ll assume the debate exists due to anti-gaming advocacy on the part of elements within the Christian church.

For a group of people who constantly claim to be targeted for persecution, modern Christians sure seem willing to attack other groups, ideals, organizations, and activities that don’t readily conform to their doctrines. But I’ll save that line of commentary for another article.

As someone who is familiar with and humbled by the teachings of Jesus Christ, I see no reason to seek the demise of the video game industry or those who support it. In fact, trying to put the lid on anyone based on the fact that they produce or endorse content and expressions which I don’t agree with is something that goes entirely against my personal philosophy.

I concede that excessive time spent immersed in digital worlds may not be the ideal lifestyle, and certainly there are many games I consider unsuitable for my 9 year old nephew. The glorification of violence by any form of media, including video games, is a primitive indulgence that I would very much like to see our culture evolve past.

However, it’s just plain silly to presume that all video games are violent. Many are not.

It’s also inaccurate to surmise that all video gamers are obsessed to the point of spending 20 hours per day in front of their consoles. I personally log less than 4-5 hours per month on my game unit.

It should also be pointed out that video games can have a positive impact on users. Stimulated imagination, heightened creativity, improved hand-eye coordination, and improvisational problem solving skills are just a few possible benefits that come to mind.

For Christians who are concerned with the potentially negative impact of violent content and obsessive behavior, I believe the answer is pro-activity and education. Pay attention to the ratings provided by game manufacturers (works just like the movie rating system) and avoid buying titles that are inappropriate for your children. Take this a step further by being open with the people you love, young and old, about the negative and unenlightened implications of digital violence; ask them why they should think it’s OK to hurt people in a virtual world and hold them accountable for a real answer. Don’t compromise your belief that it’s unhealthy to spend hours at a time glued to a display screen, and offer invigorating alternatives for the young people within your circle of influence. Instead of seeking to rob people of their power of choice, why not offer an intelligent challenge that highlights the benefits of your perspective?