What is wrong with hyper inflation?

Inflation deflation.... These terms are irrelevant.



House prices crashing...wait I thought things were going to get more expensive.

Stocks crashing....wait I thought things were going to get more expensive.

Gold rising....I thought gold needs inflation to rise? Then why did it lag for 20 years?

Oil...Is it up 100% from the lows or down 50% from the highs?

:p
 
Quote from freewilly:

DO not get scared to death when you hear the word "hyperinflation". I am asking a serious question, what is so wrong with that?

I was from China, and my parents still live there. The inflation in China from 1980 to now is at least 30X, yes, 3000%. I know that based on my first hand experience. It does not take a Economic Nobel prize winner to figure that out. I knew the prices back then, and I know the prices now. China just keeps printing, without telling anyone in the world. I can't say China living standard has gone downhill since 1980s. On the contrary, it is at least 10 times better now.

Now, let's come back the US. If you compare 1930 and now, the inflation is at least 3000%. Do you like the life back then, few people had cars, not many roads available, no TV, no phone, no advanced medicine, etc... or you like the life now? I would easily choose now.

Now if we fast forward the whole thing, if we have 200% inflation in next 5 years, what's so wrong with that? Yes, the price will be 200% more, but your income will also be 200% more.

The only problem I see is "old money" will be devalued. Well, in China, most retired people worked for the government, so they have pension, and their pension is inflation adjusted. For instance, my parents retired as university professors. Their salary was around $200 a month 10 years ago. Now their pension is about $1500(I am only use US dollar here) a month. Their house was free to them, and the medical is paid 100% by the government.

Now, in the US, if social security is inflation adjusted, I think there is no harm to "old money" or old people. If they have 401K, I believe their investment would appreciate if hyperinflation comes.

Yes, the US made serious mistake during Greenspan's term. The money got so cheap back then. It was a huge housing bubble. You can let the bubble burst and everybody suffers, or you can bubble up everything else, then nothing is bubble anymore.

Seriously, I don't like inflation, but at this point, looks like the FED is running out options. Just inflate the hell of it. Put 100 Trillion in the market if we have to. The gas price may be $50/ gallon, but your salary will also be $1M/year. Then there won't be any foreclosure problem. Anyone can easily pay off their house.

Basically what i am saying is the US made a huge mistake, let's just redo it from scratch. Let's wipe out "old money" and "old debt" by inject trillions of dollars.

BTW, I am doing very well. I am still young, and I can easily pay off my house now. I have some "old money", but i am ok with hyperinflation.
More...

At some point, inflation financially destroys everybody... even the rich.

You have not experienced hyperinflation.

Google Weimar Republic.
 
Quote from Scataphagos:

At some point, inflation financially destroys everybody... even the rich.

You have not experienced hyperinflation.

Google Weimar Republic.
More...

An old post from that gnome guy...

"... 1. "Stock market benefits from high inflation.." The market "benefits" in nominal terms... but it's only because the currency is being crushed. The OWNERS of stocks get wiped out from the currency.

Classic recent example... Turkey 1982-2005.

The "market" went up more than TWO MILLION percent.. at a 68% average compounded rate of return... but the currency lost so much that EVEN IF YOU WERE IN FOR ALL 2,000,000%, your capital still lost 98% of its buying power. (I'm recalling the numbers from memory.... you can Google to verify)

2. "Inflation doesn't hurt the rich"... The inflation and currency debasement will financially bankrupt nearly EVERYBODY.... rich included. The poor never had anything, and they will still be poor. The rich will have had all of their capital sucked dry and be poor too..."
 
Quote from Ghost of Cutten:

Congratulations, this may possibly be the most retarded post in the history of the internet.
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which post was deserving this badge of infamy the prior post or the
1st post on this thread?

in general, there are so many deserving ones on ET.
 
To an extend the OP is right, without the obvious hyperbole.

My grandma payed 2 cents to take the bus.

I pay like 5000 times more to take the bus.

Would I want to change places?

I think not.
 
I lived through one hyperinflation.
The outcome was as follows.
The politically connected with
vast access to credit, (the hands that got
first use of the freshly printed money)
bought hard assets or productive economic entities
and made out like bandits.
The middle class was wiped out.
The dead beats had their debts forgiven.
There was nothing in it for me.
There will be nothing in it for me
if another one happens.
 
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