--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you had asked people in 1929, 'Here is…" description: "\"If you had asked people in 1929, 'Here is what is about to happen. How much would you pay to avoid the Great Depression from occurring?' The answer is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/austan-goolsbee-9855_about_if-you-had-asked-people-in-1929-here-is_1404499.jpg" --- # If you had asked people in 1929, 'Here is what is about to… ![“If you had asked people in 1929, 'Here is what is about to happen. How much would you pay to avoid the Great Depression from occurring?' The answer is they would have paid a lot. They would have borrowed money if it could be used to prevent the Great Depression.” quote by Austan Goolsbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/austan-goolsbee-9855_about_if-you-had-asked-people-in-1929-here-is_1404499.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/austan-goolsbee-9855_about_if-you-had-asked-people-in-1929-here-is_1404499.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/austan-goolsbee-9855_about_if-you-had-asked-people-in-1929-here-is_1404499.jpg) > “If you had asked people in 1929, 'Here is what is about to happen. How much would you pay to avoid the Great Depression from occurring?' The answer is they would have paid a lot. They would have borrowed money if it could be used to prevent the Great Depression.” [Austan Goolsbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austan-goolsbee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People would pay heavily to avert a known catastrophic economic collapse, showing willingness to invest in prevention. **In simple terms:** People would pay to avoid a disaster. Key Takeaway Invest in preventive measures early. Themes economics risk management history Mood cautious reflective Type analytical advisory When to use this quote - policy planning - financial risk assessment - public awareness campaigns Key Concepts cost‑benefit analysis preventive investment Questions to Reflect On - What preventive actions are worth the cost? - How do we value future risk? A Different Perspective Prevention may be costly and uncertain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Borrowed money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borrowed-money/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Great depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-depression/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I love awards, especially if I get them. 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