2008 wasn't as bad as the 4-5 years of "echoes" it caused to roll through the economy here in the US. We had a long, major recession and people on unemployment for years without being able to find work. Actually, in a lot of ways 2008 felt very hopeful, like we could see the possibility for great changes and a road to a brighter future. Today, it feels like we're at peak cynicism and pushing higher, I don't know anyone that thinks things are going to get better.