Chapter 15 (Bubbles): Throughout the long sweep of history, the bursting of asset bubbles has nearly always been traumatic. Social, political and economic upheavals have a bad habit of following asset bubbles, while wealth destruction is a guaranteed feature. Four characteristics of bubbles are observed: that they are self-reinforcing on the way up (higher prices become the justification for higher prices); once they pop, the game is suddenly and permanently over; they are roughly symmetrical in time they take to peak and fall; and they are roughly symmetrical in price, returning to their pre-bubble status. Dr. Martenson concludes that the housing bubble is itself just a symptom of a credit bubble, leaving a final catastrophe of the currency as our most likely outcome. www.chrismartenson.com

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Chapter 14 (Assets & Demographics): Having examined our nations current, never-before-seen level of debt, as well as our failure to save, we now move on to look at our assets. Key Concept 8 is introduced, that debts are fixed, but assets are variable, sometimes gaining and sometimes losing. Dr. Martenson examines Americas assets, especially in light of our current demographic situation. The effect of the baby boomer generation is specifically considered, with the conclusion that the next 20 years are going to be completely unlike the last twenty years. www.chrismartenson.com

Chapter 8 (The Fed Money Creation): Chapter 7 explained money creation via money loaned into existence by banks, on the local level. Chapter 8 explains money creation by the Federal Reserve, where we learn that it is manufactured out of thin air. Perpetual expansion is a requirement of modern banking. The banking system MUST continually expand, because that is how it was designed. By understanding the requirement for continual expansion we will be in a better position to make informed decisions about what is likely to transpire and take meaningful actions to enhance our prospects. www.chrismartenson.com

The sunglasses come off the high-queen of haute couture in this rare interview, in which the Vogue editor reveals why she always wears them and much more to Morley Safer.