A virtuous cycle and a vicious cycle (also referred to as virtuous circle and vicious circle) are economic terms. They refer to a complex chain of events that reinforces itself through a feedback loop. A virtuous circle has favorable results, while a vicious circle has detrimental results.
Both circles are complexes of events with no tendency towards equilibrium, at least in the short run. Both systems of events have feedback loops in which each iteration of the cycle reinforces the previous one.
These cycles will continue in the direction of their momentum until an external factor intervenes and breaks the cycle.
Rather than a virtuous cycle, which is what was being touted as the new thing on financial TV today, after six long years of stagnation after the financial crisis, I think we are in a vicious cycle. Or perhaps, given the times, a malignant cycle.
This is because of, and one of the reasons for, the lack of reform in the political and financial systems. The corruption is propagating itself. I am not sure the ruling elite understand what they are doing, or even care.
The Fed is giving boatloads of low cost money to their well-heeled cronies, who are using it to buy up assets, continue to fund their control frauds, and raise prices on select necessities like housing, medicine, energy and food.
The one percent are having a good time, and live relatively insular lives. Careerism and the credibility trap keep them and their servants silent on the things that matter.
As confidence fades, force will increase, until something eventually changes.
And the love of many will grow cold.
Have a pleasant evening.
Related: We Are Seeing An All-Out Defense of the Status Quo
"The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.
This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.
There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved.
I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is… But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness… It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis I, Evangelli Gaudium
