Communal Kitchen. We're at a strange juncture right now. First we were hit by rising food and oil prices -- and then the whole financial system appears to be crumbling before our eyes. No one seems to know what will happen next - with commentators vacillating between fear and hope. How long will these times of trouble last? How far will our standard of living drop? As I contemplate these things I realize that for a good portion of the world - the standard of living never rose in the first place, and "times of trouble" is a permanent aspect of daily life. Continue reading...