...hyperinflationary depression.

Yeah, that's what I think. That's two catastrophes at the same time. But you're leaving out one more: war.

Davebygolly,

I know what a balloon going up is like and I know what it is like when it goes down but going both directions at once sort of stretches the imagination. Our pretty balloon has a hole in it and unless hydrogen in equals hydrogen out we can only have a uppy or downy balloon.

Now show me how that equilibrium will come about. Housing down, markets down, big bucket bailouts, ... Could be this moon but while I think the guys got the sentiment right thier direction is 180 off. I think they hadn't quite got the last of this out of their imagination.