This week may show us how connected the world really is. Possible collapse of

[CK_John]

the EU experiment. Return of bitter nation/state feuds, return of Fascism led governments on the mainland of Europe, return of paper money by the barrel full to buy a loaf of bread, economic conditions like 1933.

It may be a tough week indeed.

[elleng]

1. OK if its only a week.

I somehow suspect that Christine Lagarde at IMF will welcome this; she knows, I believe, need for 'Keynesian' approach, and will act appropriately.

[bhikkhu]

2. Having followed the portents of imminent doom since the seventies...

I can say my overall impression is that the people running the show are more competent, and the markets more resilient, than the writers predicting doom give them credit. There have been plenty of problems, but the direction and the general conditions have been, overall, steady and reasonably prosperous.

[Confusious]

3. I think you're exaggerating some

There weren't any wars between WW2 and the Euro, so why now? Why would a return to regular currency cause bucket loads of cash, and I think Europe has had enough of fascism. I would be more worried about right here at home.

What is it with people predicting the end of the world around here? Seriously. It really annoys me. Can't anyone step back and take a real look at what it means, without trying to act like we're on the cup of history. It was an experiment. It failed. People will move on.

[CenaW]

4. It is possible you are spending too much time at conspiracy sites,

extreme conservative sites
gold-silver selling sites

[dkf]

5. Asian stocks are down 2.3%, US futures down 1%.

But hey the rich are losing money so joy joy joy for those who dislike capitalism.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Meh - by midday, French market just down 0.27%, German 0.78%

Both had a plunge right at the start, but it seems the traders then realised the sky has not yet fallen on their heads, and the prices steadily recovered.

[dkf]

9. They probably realized Hollande has made all kinds of contradictory promises.

[Speck Tater]

6. History proves that...

If you say "Next week will be pretty much exactly like last week". you will almost always be right. Every once in a great while, however, you will be spectacularly wrong.

On the other hand, if every week you say "Next week will be a disaster of planetary proportions." you will almost always be spectacularly wrong. Every once in a great while, however, you will be right.

It's called punctuated equilibrium. Usually everything stays pretty much the same, but when it changes, it tends to change very quickly in very spectacular ways.

[girl gone mad]

7. The EU experiment was doomed from the start.

No country should willingly give away currency sovereignty to join a monetary union which completely lacks the proper structural arrangement to deal with an inevitable financial crisis.

Fascists always make gains in times of high unemployment. This was brought on by ignorant austerity policies.

Neoliberals need to go, worldwide. Throw these incompetent fools out. Let's hope that the elections in Greece were the first step.

[MadHound]

10. When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

I mean really now, the return of fascism and hyper-inflation?

Please, take a deep breath, and don't fall for the hype.