Speculate 'til you defenestrate
'Speculation' literally means 'Reasoning based on inconclusive evidence; conjecture or supposition.'
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This insatiable need to hoard, be it food or gold or shares is what's destroying society. They call it speculation."
"Well, you've got to speculate to accumulate," chimed George, recalling something his dad used to say, "but judging from what it's doing to the planet, make that when you speculate, you devastate."
"And considering how investment bankers throw themselves from 15-storey windows whenever the market tanks, you could say they speculate 'til they defenestrate. Ho ho."
The Director glanced at George, hoping for a minor chuckle at his quip, but judging from George's expression, the joke had gone over his head at a considerable altitude.
After a moment of awkward silence, the Director shrugged. "Whatever… Anyway, speculation is surely a terrible way to run a society. The clue is in the name: 'Speculation' literally means 'Reasoning based on inconclusive evidence; conjecture or supposition.'
It's just a fancy name for gambling, and it's the cause of every single financial crash we've ever suffered, from the South Sea Bubble and Tulip Fever to the Subprime Crash of 2008.
The Dragon & the Hummingbird p. 92
