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Economic crisis Quote by Yuval Noah Harari

“Everybody is terrified that the current economic crisis may stop the growth of the economy. So they are creating trillions of dollars, euros and yen out of thin air, pumping cheap credit into the system, and hoping that the scientists, technicians and engineers will manage to come up with…” quote by Yuval Noah Harari
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““Everybody is terrified that the current economic crisis may stop the growth of the economy. So they are creating trillions of dollars, euros and yen out of thin air, pumping cheap credit into the system, and hoping that the scientists, technicians and engineers will manage to come up with something really big, before the bubble bursts. Everything depends on the people in the labs. New discoveries in fields such as biotechnology and nanotechnology could create entire new industries, whose profits could back the trillions of make-believe money that the banks and governments have created since 2008. If the labs do not fulfil these expectations before the bubble bursts, we are heading towards very rough times. Columbus””

Yuval Noah Harari

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public talk on economic policy, 2023

Societies rely on speculative monetary expansion and hope that scientific breakthroughs will sustain growth, but this creates a fragile bubble that may burst if labs fail to deliver.

In simple terms: We gamble on science to justify endless money printing.

Key Takeaway

Invest in real innovation, not just credit.

Themes

economics technology risk innovation policy

Mood

anxious hopeful

Type

warning analytical

When to use this quote

  • government budgeting
  • venture capital
  • R&D funding
  • startup strategy
  • public policy

Key Concepts

macroeconomics speculative finance scientific progress

Questions to Reflect On

  • What contingency plans exist if labs underperform?
  • How can we balance short‑term stimulus with long‑term sustainability?
A Different Perspective

If breakthroughs are slower than expected, debt and inflation could spiral.

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