In a college class about the literature of the Renaissance, the professor pointed out that at the beginning of this period, the world was changing so rapidly that people could choose whether to live the new way or the old. This is where the term, Renaissance Man came from, to describe someone who was embracing the ideas of the Renaissance: the importance of learning, the ideas of progress, and the improvement of life through education and innovation.

Professor Lee said that we live in such a time today, at the beginning of "The Information Age." People could choose whether to use computers, the Internet, and other technology ... or not.

This ability of choice is going away. Whether because eventually those of us born before the 1980's or 90's will pass on, or because The Information Age will permeate everything to such a degree that such a choice is impossible.

Here is an example of how today's world is very different, but at the same time, the more things change, the more they stay the same:

This statement is attributed to Boyd K. Packer, a leader in my faith. I mention it here because I want to share his description of "The Great Depression" of the 1930's:

We live in troubled times. There is great financial crisis
and we've seen something that hasn't happened in the last 60 years:
the world's financial markets are collapsing. I was six years old
when the Great Depression began: the 10th of 11 children. My father
was a mechanic and times were difficult for all of us. Many families
were suddenly out of work all at once. There were large public
projects to try and provide employment.

We today may or may not be on the brink of another great depression. No matter what you call it, things are tough. Here is another statement. This one is of one of the Internet Marketing gurus I follow, Ken Evoy of SiteSell Services:

Bailouts only delay the pain for as long as we live in a world where people (and companies) depend upon governments to bail them out and we are all encouraged to live beyond our means. SBI! is a tremendous way to set yourself apart from this mess and build a life and future that you own.

Of course Ken is promoting his product, SBI. Go beyond an answer that would make me or you money, and think about what's different now versus 1929:

• With the Internet, there is a global marketplace. I primarily mean it's big.
• We can reach customers wherever they are.
• In troubled times, people will be looking for ways to make extra money.
• Things change more rapidly than they did in the 1930's.
• Technology is introduced more quickly and adopted by the planet more quickly. Exponentially more quickly.

So what does this all mean for Internet Marketers? I say it means we have a fighting chance to put and keep our financial houses in order, and we have a huge responsibility to help others do the same.

Let me point, yet again, to the words of Napoleon Hill from Think and Grow Rich:

The business depression started in 1929, and continued on to an all time
record of destruction, until sometime after President Roosevelt entered office.
Then the depression began to fade into nothingness. Just as an electrician in a
theatre raises the lights so gradually that darkness is transmuted into light
before you realize it, so did the spell of fear in the minds of the people
gradually fade away and become faith.

***

The business depression marked the death of one age, and the birth of another.
This changed world requires practical dreamers who can, and will put their
dreams into action. The practical dreamers have always been, and always will
be the pattern-makers of civilization.

Do not give into the fear. Riches begin with thoughts, desires, plans, and action. Whether you are seeking riches via Internet Marketing or some other vocation, believe, dream, pray, and work. You will find your reward.