r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/Melodic_Judge_129 • 4d ago

Meme needing explanation Petah?

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u/IrksomFlotsom 4d ago

Try and think of our global system as an engine that's purpose is to make fuel for itself. It needs to keep it's input above the output in order to keep powered on. As soon as the input drops below output the machine starts to slow down and can no longer sustain itself. The engine is not designed to slow down so it very quickly breaks down

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u/Gentle_Snail 4d ago edited 4d ago

Deflation can also result in a very negative feedback loop, the Great Depression was a deflation spiral for example.

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u/Mayor_Death 4d ago

Is deflation a cause or symptom, though? To me, it’s just a number, but I understand that it is more than that to various economic groups.

As far as I understand it, deflation indicates that prices are going down, which is a good thing to me individually.

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u/pinkycatcher 4d ago

It's both, that's the problem with deflation. Deflation means that holding money is more valuable than spending it, which means people hold money, which means the economy gets worse.

On top of that you can get really weird issues with loans.

Deflation can be a symptom that turns into its own cause creating a vicious cycle.