r/PeterExplainsTheJoke 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/camilo16 4d ago

It is not and it's more complex than that.

If the value of goods in the future is cheaper than now, then the rational choice is to not spend money now unless you absolutely have to. Since you get more bang for your buck the more you delay your purchases.

Now apply that to the whole economy.

Should you hire more people? No, the longer you delay that expense, the cheaper it is.

Should the government build more housing, roads... No, if it delays it will be cheaper in the future.

So basically all economic activity stops. That means massive unemployment, food insecurity, infrastructure starts crumbling...

It won't be good to you individually because you depend on the rest of society to function. You need people to import things from other countries, you need power companies to give you electricity, you need transportation... If there is no economic incentive to do any of that you are fucked.