A Ponzi is a spectrum, not a crime
Most legitimate institutions live somewhere between productive and inflow-dependent. The question is never whether, but how far along the continuum a system sits.
A Measuring Instrument for National Economies
The Ponzi Continuum
Every modern economy promises that tomorrow's money will cover today's obligations. This book measures how far America depends on it.
MEDIAN HOUSE: $284K → $420K IN FIVE YEARS$39 TRILLION IN UNFUNDED PENSION PROMISESWAGES DECOUPLED FROM PRODUCTIVITY: 1973THE AMERICAN DREAM IS NOW A MONTHLY PAYMENTMEDIAN HOUSE: $284K → $420K IN FIVE YEARS$39 TRILLION IN UNFUNDED PENSION PROMISESWAGES DECOUPLED FROM PRODUCTIVITY: 1973THE AMERICAN DREAM IS NOW A MONTHLY PAYMENT
- MEDIAN HOUSE: $284K → $420K IN FIVE YEARS
- $39 TRILLION IN UNFUNDED PENSION PROMISES
- WAGES DECOUPLED FROM PRODUCTIVITY: 1973
- THE AMERICAN DREAM IS NOW A MONTHLY PAYMENT
1920
In 1920, Charles Ponzi promised 50% returns in 45 days.
50%
He paid old investors with new investors' money.
8 MONTHS
He lasted eight months.
DECADES
The systems in this book have lasted decades. This is not an accusation. It is an instrument.
The Instrument
Everything sits somewhere on the continuum
67/100
Pays for itselfNeeds new money
Housing market
Rents reflect genuine shelter value, but price growth increasingly relies on the next buyer paying more, funded by ever-larger debt. The further prices detach from incomes, the further right it sits.
The Evidence
The numbers are not subtle
$284K → $420K
median American house, five years
$39T
unfunded pension obligations
52
years since wages tracked productivity
What the Book Argues
Three claims, calmly made
Nobody needs to intend it
No conspiracy is required. Each participant acts rationally inside the rules; the structure produces the dependency on its own.
The dependency is measurable
Where do returns come from, and what happens when new money stops arriving? Answer honestly and any system reveals its position on the instrument.
Available Soon
Three countries. One instrument.
With Canadian data, cases and sources throughout
Coming Soon
Your Edition
With American data, cases and sources throughout
Coming Soon
With Australian data, cases and sources throughout
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NEW — FOR TEENS
Some systems pay you.
Some systems spend you.
The same instrument, rebuilt for readers who are about to enter the game. Every system in your life needs new money, new players, and new belief — this book teaches you to read which ones need you.
No lectures, no jargon. Five questions that reveal whether any system pays for itself or spends its players, and what it means when the new player is you.
Coming Soon