The reason we've had all of these bubbles lately, and will continue to have them, is because they are always net profitable to the financial industry. Speculators see the bubble forming, and invest heavily in it. This keeps the bubble growing rapidly. Many of these specualtors can tell when the bubble is near the peak or just starting it's inevitable decline and they either exit completely or short the bubble. So they are net profitable. The remaining financial companies, who are locked into the bubble or who were not smart at picking the exit point, take losses. However, the government will bail them out. So many companies that would have taken losses wind up breaking even. Since bubbles are a win-win for companies, we will continue to have them. It is the same as telling someone you will pay them overtime to complete a job they were supposed to do for regular pay whenever they fall behind on their job.