Anxious people are difficult to be around. They don’t learn well, they’re not adaptable, and they’re obsessed with the worst possible scenario. They’re not good at seeing any point of view beyond their own distress and fear, and they become experts at raining on parades.

Sonia Simone, Three Ways to Grow Your Blog Community in an Economic Crisis

Does this sound familiar?

To me this sounds like a pretty accurate description of Thanet both online and off. I'd go so far as to suggest that Thanet as a whole is frightened and so far we bloggers have done little aside from add to the screams. What the Thanet community needs from us is a little [...] old-fashioned compassion [...] to quote Sonia Simone again. Yes, we have a minor economic crisis going on but when don't we - this is Thanet.

You, the Thanet blogger (or potential blogger), have more tools available to do this than you might first think.

If you are a blogger or a person thinking about starting a blog then the chances are that you are good at thinking about things in a different way. You are also confident in your ability to communicate this. Right now Thanet needs you more than ever before.

You have authenticity on your side whereas news papers and politicians (by default) do not. You can easily find a voice which could be used to reduce panic and help bring a little soothing calm.

The world is not ending. Thanet's water is fine. China has not invaded. Sandy Ezekiel will not be "leader" forever and the world is still turning. Thanet is a nice place. It will be OK.

Furthermore the drop in house prices mean that they are more affordable so first time buyers have a chance again. It also means that home owners (if you hold on to your hat) have a chance to ride this one out and upgrade on the other side. Stupid prices in odd places (like petrol stations that sell sandwiches for the best part of a fiver) cannot make a sale, supermarkets are having to compete harder than ever to get us to shop with them and the stupidity that was in charge is simply dieing back so that the honest, right thinking individual has a little space to get ahead again.

It wont rain forever and I'm getting ready for the coming sunshine.