Has the economic downturn notched up our collective level of consciousness? Is the world more integral than before?

Partly I admit, I am making this post to stick my feet into the water of social networking and figure out how it all works.  So far, I have been clicking and pecking at links, reading content that grabs my attention, engaging in it past my bedtime and then getting behind in my work. I still haven't created a sense of community for myself or contributed to this one in any meaningful way.  SO I am starting with this post.

The book "A Theory of Everything" by K.Wilber, brought me to this work a few years ago.   I did make it through the book, enough to be inspired, enlightened on many aspects of life and promoting at least that book to everyone I know.  It was quite a telling experience  when many have looked at me with a blank stare, while others also got excited when I talk about some of the concepts (in my limited understanding!).  But understanding the levels and states has gone a long long way to my expanded level of acceptance for others and where they are right now. 

The six o'clock news is still drumming bad news, but in watching your president Obama, shame on the bank executives, I wondered, if being more "Integral", having integrity, congruence, and co-operation may be hitting new levels of the north american psyche if not the world psyche?   I was encouraged to read about that study done recently where a new emotion among the masses was discovered or perhaps just coined - ELEVATION - the physical sensation experienced with considering, doing or being engaged in doing the right thing morally.   Apparently, the emotion is on the increase and marketing people are on to it as a means to sell more. (LOL... even just writing this sounds extremely funny)

In my heart I hope it is true. I hope greed has peaked in the world of business and that a new era of civility and humanity has arrived.

What do you think?  How is the evening news striking you? 

Your comments are welcomed.

Carolyn