History is in the Making! From where do you want to see it?

The world around us is changing, no one will question that statement. After years of stable progress the world has been thrown into sudden turmoil. Organisations are fighting for their existence, a nation stands on the verge of bankruptcy and people are running scared in all directions. Newspapers and journals have no qualms about brandishing around words like 'recession' and 'depression', with a common feeling that the times ahead are only going to be more turbulent. But this piece is not about the change as such, but how we are going to witness it. What kind of vantage point do you want, while witnessing the most historic turn of events in the 21st Century?

Over the last few weeks, several people I know have had doubts over their decision to join a B-School during this period. Leaving aside comfortable jobs to come here only to find their future's becoming seemingly insecure or at least a little less iron-clad than before. However, I am of a different view, I think that a B-School is the best place to be at this point of time. Consider this analogy, when history is being made, do you want to be part of the making or do you want to be the one recording history. The one's who are part of the events, may or may not come out victorious, and in this case God alone knows who (if anyone) will win. But those recording history are relatively safe, and yet have the added advantage of knowing exactly what happened. I think that's the kind of position I am in right now. At SP I have gotten a far greater understanding of events around me than I would have had I been anywhere else, same goes for any student in a B-School. With the vast number of knowledgeable people around me, it is easy to make keep track of and make sense of what is happening. For example the Economic Forum of SPJIMR sends out mails almost daily explaining economic events happening around us. But more than the knowledge its the perspective which really helps. It feels like having a real live case study where you can apply the stuff that you learn in class everyday. And as the situation evolves so does our knowledge, which means that after a year or so, once the situation stabilises (hopefully it will) we'll be best prepared to tackle the brave (or not so brave) new world. Compare this to situation to people who are working or directly impacted by the economic crises, they have a very narrow view of the situation. For example most players of the stock markets supported the federal bailout by the US governement without knowing the real impact of the act. But as a B-School student you are exposed to several views which you can study in detail before reaching a decision. Finally, from where I stand, the future is still in my hands, and I can still mould my career choices to the economic environment.

And as Pink Floyd said " "And would you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?".

So what do you think is the best vantage point to view this crisis from?