I call it "what's the problem" , which I guess can be expanded to "what's the problem" theory. It is entwined with the short vix assumption that everything is overblown and implied volatility is overstated in all events, but it is a little more nuanced in that it applies to the thousand seemingly ridiculous structures we see daily:
We are in the 'everything bubble' - equities, bonds, crypto, real estate, the Fed has basically admitted they don't understand inflation (or more realistically refuse to admit the effects of QE), and all the bears will lament every nuke threat leads to new S&P all time highs-
I used to be mad at "bubbles" or waste, government burning money on anything and everything, but that is just the paradox of thrift. As long as the money velocity keeps going, all that burning money is just other people's paychecks and that is just the economy. Its a big organism and as long as it keeps moving, whats the problem? S&Ps are at all time highs, just like they have been for many points in the last century, the fiat money system based on target inflation is designed to increase. The numbers always go up in the long run, unless they fully crash, at which point USD won't matter in any investment structure you have.
On a more micro econ note- what about the individual people that make up the insane masses, when they trainwreck through their life making insane destructive and stupid decisions? I used to be mad at how they somehow turn out alright but now that is just like watching nature. Bad decisions are good for the economy- they create opportunity and counterparties, which create velocity. What if no one bought a new iphone every year, what if everyone was responsible? How would we have a consumption based economy if anyone could budget? How would you have entire services like Geek Squad if everyone could plug in a cable?
What is the stupidest thing you've seen this week/month/year? Now step back and really think "whats the problem?" Who is the counterparty, where is this adding velocity to the money supply? Oh, now I get it!
A case study from the other day- I was at an intersection with one of those huge digital "500,000 smoking deaths this year" billboards with the numbers incrementing. Whats the problem?
We have:
- the smokers, they are buying some service they want
- the tobacco company making money, creating jobs (the #1 buzzword America loves)
-the billboard company with a client
-the tobacco/cancer/statistics research company putting their work out there,
and thousands of idiots like me to comment on the whole mess.
So really what is the problem? Yes people will die but they would die some other way anyway, and if you try to save people one way you just end up killing someone else. I'll have a whole different article later on the purpose of death for all the time values to money. Whoever you think is the "bad guy" probably thinks the same right back at you.
The point is that things like this are what make up the economy and the machine of it to keep going. These are what the jobs numbers come from, (which we love so much), its not people fulfilling some ultimate destiny, its just people getting checks to do stuff all day that may or may not even have value. Some jobs negate each other like opposing lobbyists. BUT, as long as that keeps the money velocity going, what's the problem?
The current global economy is the result of thousands of years of tiny economic experiments, and we are left with this monster. Its full of insane people and decisions, but those things mean its still moving, and if there is any stupidity left then there is opportunity. I think I'm mostly acclimated to the insanity, which is part of the short VIX thesis- people acclimate and that implied volatility is overstated.
Oh well, another rambling, 5 more followers lost. I hope this sparks something in someone out there. We are on countdown to see if I lose my Janet so I'll have to be strong as ever to really take my own medicine, and if she leaves... *slow tears from my eyes*... whats the problem....?
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