"One needs a fast flowing river to avoid the corrupt air produced by stagnation." _ Leonardo da Vinci
Perhaps the Murray-Darling River slow death is a fit icon for our times - stagnation is a killjoy.
The poor old river system which "flows" through four states and feeds the food bowl of Australia has suffered from salination, been choked by algae blooms, almost stopped flowing entirely until the recent rains and now this issue of humanity releasing its grip enough to let the river flow is a HUGE, huge issue in Australia.
We should be thankful that we do not have economic stagnation - zero growth - just like the United States. Or worse face bankruptcy like Greece, Portugal and Spain.
But what about cultural stagnation? I think we can honestly say that we do not have political stagnation given recent election results.
Still, there is much fear and fear is a big reason for cultural stagnation - institutional culture, school culture, artistic culture ... you add your twist if you want...
I seem to go through my life at the moment flabbergasted by the stagnation of culture at all levels of society - but this blog is inspired particularly by the stagnation (no, failure) of service culture.
It's a radical really: low service standards existing beside a rampaging consumer culture.
Consumer culture rages down the canyon of our lives like water in a gutter in storm season. Can you see the billowing purple-green clouds containing hail?
People talk about a two-speed economy - the mining states booming versus stagnation in the non-mining states. Supposedly mining states like Queensland have an unfair advantage.
It certainly doesn't feel like it in Brisbane where the streets are clogged with traffic, the bills go up and multiply while the jobs don't really seem to be flowing freely any more.
I found government statistics predict hail season in the mining states which have drawn labour away from the non-mining states but have had a significant cost of living or CPI rise as a result of prosperity.
Yes, it creates employment but eventually when you can't find people to fill positions in mining and non-mining states ( there are labour shortages everywhere ).
Big department stores like David Jones and Big W are like ghost towns - the staff are like ghosts you can't find them anywhere.
I stood at Big W's "service" station for 15 minutes and pressed the red button several times before giving up on the weekend.
Today, I tried to get my motor mower repaired. The local guy is booked to January. There's a 10-day turnaround at the place in nearby Springwood.
And if you want to set your graduating child up in a surefire business - have them train as a pooch groomer because they are booked up a month in advance. HUGE shortage: never mind nurses, plumbers, doctors, electricians ...
In David Jones I was told by a retail assistant contractor at one of the only manned cash registers on an entire floor that contractors keep DJs going.
Sure there's a 4.7 per cent difference in gross domestic income benefiting mining states but the Consumer Price Index (cost of living) is 0.7pc higher in mining states - according to this Economic Roundup paper.
Looks like the only time of the year there isn't a sale is at Christmas time. So is the mining boom a real advantage to mining states? This Federal Economic Roundup paper says Australia has always been a two speed economy - it's nothing new.
In this context, the skills shortage is just another example of poor planning (stagnation) just like the infrastructure crisis (stagnation) and the dire condition of the poor old Murray-Darling River. (stagnation)
Is a fearful, closed-door policy for a small Australia sustainable? Reading these stats, it seems not. Sure this report isn't the latest but I defy you to argue that a stagnation in innovative thinking and action will not lead to "sustainable growth". It'll be like Brisbane the capital city of a mining state which is now choked by traffic, formerly known as Australia's "most livable city".
Is Australia going to like Big W and David Jones stores in future? People standing around waiting...
Oh there are so many ways to slice this sticky Pavlova but perhaps we need a Lamington instead, huh?
Thank God Jamie Oliver is in town!