Previous Trope Repair Shop thread: Needs Help
, started by spacemarine50 on Sep 23rd 2012 at 11:31:00 AM
The description of this trope appears confused, especially in the paragraph which asserts that 1) this scenario is unlikely to happen in real life; and 2) moderate levels of inflation are not considered bad in fiat currencies. The two points cancel each other out.
Let's say we set a scenario 500 years into the future. The description says that a moderate level of inflation will double prices every 23 years. The price will thus have doubled 21 times (rounding down) over that period of time. Doubling 21 times makes your dollar cup of coffee cost over 2 million dollars at that time period in the future.
While revaluing currency is sometimes done in times of hyperinflation, as the OP states, it is unlikely to be done when the rate feels gradual, and will ordinarily be offset by higher wages, which was also stated. Therefore the prices won't feel ridiculous to characters in that time period, which is how the trope is ordinarily played.
All in all, I don't think it's quite as unrealistic a trope as is being described.
Edited by schoolmann
Linking to a past Trope Repair Shop thread that dealt with this page: Real Life Section
, started by Ghilz on Dec 18th 2010 at 10:00:33 AM
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman