Disaster Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“Perhaps never before or since have so many people taken the measure of economic prospects and found them so favorable as in the two days following the Thursday [24th October 1929] disaster.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Outlook, October 1929
After the 1929 crash, many people became unusually optimistic about the economy, a paradoxical reaction.
In simple terms: People felt hopeful after a disaster.
Question optimism after crises.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- investment decisions
- policy making
- public morale
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do crises trigger optimism?
- What are the dangers of premature confidence?
Optimism may ignore underlying risks.