I read what's happening with Merril Lynch etc. and the world impact that is going to have

[tavalon]

Are we going into a depression? What defines a depression? What does one do to survive a depression. I know my grandparents did, but they were obviously pretty scarred by the experience. Is communal living a possible help during starving times. Will there be starving times?

[SurfingAtWork]

1. I don't think we're in a depression yet. Our dollars still have value

I'm not an economist, however to me a true depression would be when the dollar ceases to be worth more than the paper it is printed on. We may be on the road to that, but I doubt it. The countries that manufacture stuff, like China and whatnot still have a vested interest in artificially propping up the dollar, so we will continue to buy their stuff. But it won't stay like that forever.