Re:Ask YC: How will the US economy affect the probability of...
by nostrademons on Saturday November 10, 2007 @12:10PM
(#78160)
If you're going to consider the possibility that the U.S. economy will go into a full-fledged collapse, you should also consider:
1.) The possibility of large tariffs on all international transactions.
2.) The possibility that certain nations will be declared "enemy powers" and all trade with them will be banned.
3.) The possibility that all communications outside the United States (yes, that means the Internet) will be banned for national security reasons.
4.) The possibility that the government will nationalize the Internet, your business, or both.
5.) The possibility of riots in major U.S. cities.
6.) The possibility that a mandatory draft may send you or your workforce to war.
7.) The possibility of mass propaganda campaigns and government nationalization of all media.
8.) The possibility that all computer professionals will be drafted into massive cryptographic projects.
All of these have happened historically after major economic crises. They almost seem to be inevitable after a Depression-level panic.
My point is that some eventualities shouldn't be planned for, not because they won't happen, but because you can't plan for them. Once political unrest starts, all bets are off, because the basic ground rules of society are gone. Some looter could come up to you with a gun and blow your brains out, and that would be the end of your business.
1.) The possibility of large tariffs on all international transactions.
2.) The possibility that certain nations will be declared "enemy powers" and all trade with them will be banned.
3.) The possibility that all communications outside the United States (yes, that means the Internet) will be banned for national security reasons.
4.) The possibility that the government will nationalize the Internet, your business, or both.
5.) The possibility of riots in major U.S. cities.
6.) The possibility that a mandatory draft may send you or your workforce to war.
7.) The possibility of mass propaganda campaigns and government nationalization of all media.
8.) The possibility that all computer professionals will be drafted into massive cryptographic projects.
All of these have happened historically after major economic crises. They almost seem to be inevitable after a Depression-level panic.
My point is that some eventualities shouldn't be planned for, not because they won't happen, but because you can't plan for them. Once political unrest starts, all bets are off, because the basic ground rules of society are gone. Some looter could come up to you with a gun and blow your brains out, and that would be the end of your business.