The real problem isn't derivatives, it's ET still showing us garbage threads from people we have blocked...because they start so many garbage threads.
Well, this reminds me, I was a very short while ago reading a book on securitized Real Estate that was published just before the great financial crisis. It was quite an amusing read how the author was proud of themself and how trusting these derivatives were. Well, that did not age well I'm afraid.
I still remember vividly when Warren Buffett issued a dire warning about derivatives as the ticking time bomb that will set off "the financial weapon of mass destruction". So I asked our politically correct AI, ChatGPT, to chime in on the matter. Q1: When and Why did Warren Buffett warn about derivatives? A1: Warren Buffett, the renowned investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, has expressed concerns about derivatives on multiple occasions. One notable warning came in his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders in 2002. In that letter, Buffett referred to derivatives as "financial weapons of mass destruction." He expressed concern about the complexity and potential risks associated with these financial instruments. Buffett's warnings were particularly focused on the use of derivatives in speculative and leveraged ways, which could amplify risks in the financial system. He emphasized the importance of understanding the instruments one is dealing with and the potential consequences of their use. Buffett's cautionary remarks were made in the context of the financial industry's increasing reliance on complex derivatives and the potential for systemic issues if they were not properly understood and managed. His views on derivatives were part of his broader philosophy of conservative and value-oriented investing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the investments one holds. Q2: Was his warning about the derivatives justified in hindsight? It's worth noting that Buffett's warnings were prescient, as derivatives played a significant role in the financial crisis of 2008, contributing to the collapse of major financial institutions and causing widespread economic turmoil, leading to a global economic downturn. The complexity and opacity of certain derivative instruments, along with the interconnectedness of financial markets, led to a lack of understanding and effective risk management. Financial institutions and investors underestimated the potential risks associated with these instruments, contributing to a systemic breakdown. Buffett's concerns about derivatives being "financial weapons of mass destruction" highlighted the risks of using complex financial instruments without a clear understanding of their implications. The crisis underscored the importance of transparency, risk assessment, and responsible financial practices in the use of derivatives and other financial instruments. While Buffett's warning was specific to the circumstances prevailing in the early 2000s, the subsequent financial crisis provided a stark example of the risks associated with certain derivatives and the importance of prudential risk management in the financial industry.
And yet Buffet who likes to run his Grandpa routine on BubbleVision, claimed Moody's did nothing wrong in rubber stamping shit CDOs. Another paragon of virtue from the swamp. I love the Moody's CEO response on Capitol Hill: Our ratings are just an opinion and are protected by the First Amendment. Just another scammer from the Wall Street mafia. Too bad they didn't throw RICO at the CRAs and bankrupt them like did to Anderson & Drexel.