Slow Versus Fast Collapse

In the information economy, knowledge is valuable. If one can fine tune one's production to match market demands, one's operation will be more efficient and profitable. But now, across the world, management information systems are flashing "negative growth, liquidate, liquidate!" and managers are responding appropriately. This, in brief, explains the crash-like environment the world's economy is experiencing. One might call it "panic at light speed."

In the coming years as economic decline is compounded with various stresses (such as peak oil, overpopulation, pollution) piling up, does the world risk a fast crash back to the Stone Age? We think not.

All the crashing going on is also opening up opportunities. Necessary investments are being deferred, and at some point in time not too distant, it will become glaringly obvious to make them - at least to some. New technologies, and just plain changes of taste will also open up all sorts of new opportunities. Investment goes on, and economies will hobble along.

We are not saying that the economy as a whole will necessarily be able to grow. Just that enough opportunities for profit will exist to keep the civilisation more or less intact.