Just read this essay yesterday that puts the "economic fluctuations" into better perspective. One could call it "historical perspective" but that's not quite accurate since what is unfolding in the present is unlike anything ever experienced. Nevertheless the author makes a very profound argument that this is no minor hiccup, its a a gargantuan shift into something as yet, unknown:

Yet, what's happening is a historic movement of long duration that is inducing the end of a world and that will revolutionize our ways of thinking and living. We still have our hearts and our minds in the "Ancien Régime" that fashioned our behaviors. It's a real revolution that is erupting. And no person, no government plan, can determine its conclusion or what type of society it will produce. And the first condition for all attempts to channel it to avoid the most lethal consequences is to become aware of its nature, to situate it in a historic perspective. For what is happening - the "crisis" is but a symptom of the transformation that is at work - is a change in landmarks, in values, in our modes of thinking and producing, of believing and loving - of which history over its long duration supplies us with a few examples.

To some this is vindication. Many have been anticipating the collapse of so many 19th century "ideals of capital", yet usually can only imagine 19th century solutions -- ideals of a world without the "control of capital".

Few can imagine where this unanticipated change of direction is taking us, but some already know the destination.

The answer to that cryptic statement is much more than my fingers can bear at the moment, and is much more worthy of dialogue anyway. In the meantime, read the essay because its certainly a far more advanced perspective of our current storm.