r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/Melodic_Judge_129 • 9h ago

Meme needing explanation Petah?

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u/IrksomFlotsom 8h 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 8h ago edited 8h 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 7h 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/Dry-Nectarine-3279 5h ago

I agree - inflation and deflation are terms too broad to take action on unless you go sector by sector or have specific examples. I think the fears over deflation are too overblown. Probably intentionally emphasized by people who have assets that do well in an inflationary environment.