Scanning the headlines was very frustrating today. Why? Because it seems that the media has latched onto a new favorite buzzword:

Recession-Proof

What does that mean, anyway? Well, I assume it’s just like something that’s waterproof: It can “repel” or “keep out” recession. Funny enough, Wikipedia has no article for recession-proof, though they have a horrendous article on “recession-proof” industries.

Let me give you the recent “recession-proof” headlines.

• LA Times: Is Canada Recession-Proof?
• About.com: Is McDonald’s Recession-Proof?
• PC Magazine: Is the Tech Industry Recession-Proof? (catching onto a pattern yet?)
• Forbes: America’s Recession-Proof Cities
• And my personal favorite - LA Times Blog: Strippers Urged to ‘Recession-Proof’ Bodies. (it’s the lecture the clubs give that kills me)

Just do a Google Search if you haven’t had your fill of ridiculous recession-proof headlines.

The truth is that there’s no industry, city, or stripper that’s 100% recession-proof. Yes, some industries tend to fare better than others in hard economic times, but each market downturn is unique and thus which industries are affected changes as well. Industries move in and out of towns, changing the workforce makeup over time.

I can only speculate to the reasons for why the media seems to like this buzz word, but it probably ties in to people’s fear, as it often does. We are fearful of what the economy will do to us and our families and the term recession-proof is in opposition to recession. Fine, I understand. There are things you can do to better succeed in a downturn, yes, but remember:

Nothing guarantees your financial security. No city you move to, no industry you switch to will guarantee it. Recession-proof comes off as a guarantee, which is why it’s misleading.

My advice? Be aware but don’t get drawn into the hype. Do what you love and do with all your heart. Corny, yes, but that’s the best guarantee of success.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 10:55 am and is filed under News and Analysis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.