In a world where shaky markets make hesitant investors tremble and Spencer Pratt gets baptized in the Costa Rican jungle via reality TV, it can be easy to slip into depression – or recession, as the pundits would have it.

But despite the atrocities being committed on Wall Street and “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here” – not to mention the constant panic reports from the media – life goes on.

People still adopt abandoned chinchillas. People still get married. People still have babies. Sometimes, in fact, in that very order.

So since the world has not begun to rotate backwards, can we please live with a smile and a little optimism, despite the less-than-ideal economic conditions and the impending fiscal Apocalypse warnings from Glenn Beck?

There are plenty of positive things which accompany any good recession. One perk is how recessions can act as a rebirth of solid values. As we tighten our proverbial belts – and wallets – it becomes easier to see how much is wasted because of laziness and excess. Worn shoes and torn pants become projects instead of garbage.

In fact, Marvin’s Shoe Store downtown is experiencing increased business while many other establishments trudge through a summer of fewer shoppers and lower revenues.

Depression-era values of reducing, reusing, and spending less are back in style at least. Greenpeace would be so proud.

Another perk is how economic despair creates a breeding ground for stars and superheros. That is, if the continued rise in popularity of Speidi is not enough.

President Reagan was a Hollywood superstar before he ever became a right-wing superhero. He managed to turn around the economic cesspool left by Jimmy Carter, and to this day viewers can depend on hearing the phrase “the great Ronald Reagan” in every Republican primary debate as each of the old, rich, white guys try to out-Reagan their opponents.

Maybe Barack, our trusty CEO-in-chief, can steer us away from further economic disaster and become a superstar himself. Oh wait…

Perhaps best of all is how some of us have been forced to find peace and satisfaction in the little things.

Vacations in the tiny islands in the Caribbean have been substituted with classy Panama City. Shows at the Fox Theatre have dissolved into the matinée showing of “The Hangover” at Beechwood Cinema. Dinners with friends at Speakeasy have been replaced by PB & J’s and dumpster diving- at least for this Athenian.

Blame it on the scarcity of high-paying summer jobs in Athens. Blame it on “the previous administration.” Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol.

No matter who the blame truly lies with, make the best of it. These may not be “the best of times,” but I think they are still pretty great. We are young. We live in Athens. We get to enjoy hot Georgia summers by the pool and warm summer nights at Allgood. What more could you ask for?

As students, we have our whole lives to squander our salaries on “the good life”. But we only have four – or five – years to make our time at the University the best years of our lives.

- Daniel Burnett is the news editor of The Red & Black.