IMF warns global economy 'could soon test the limits of resilience'

What BBN said about it

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe International Monetary Fund says the global economy could soon test the limits of resilience, because emergency oil stocks are running low and government budgets are stretched thin.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorJoining us is Ignatius Brevoort of the Institute for Mild Catastrophe Studies, who says he saw this coming. Ignatius, what exactly did you see?

3. IB

   Ignatius BrevoortEverything, Chip.

4. IB

   Ignatius BrevoortAs I wrote on page twelve of my book, Brace Yourself Gently, resilience is like a pantry, and the world has been eating the good crackers.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the IMF says the oil reserves are low. Is that the crackers?

6. IB

   Ignatius BrevoortThe oil is the crackers. The budgets are the shelf. As I wrote on page forty, a shelf can only hold so much optimism.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut I'm told you also predicted the opposite, that the economy would be strong. Is that right?

8. IB

   Ignatius BrevoortBoth, yes. The sequel is called Relax Aggressively. As I wrote on page two hundred, panic and calm are cousins who share a lawn.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwo books, opposite predictions.

10. IB

    Ignatius BrevoortWhichever happens, I'm right, and there's a signing at both. This laminated page proves it, and it's in my own handwriting.

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    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIgnatius, the page numbers keep going up every time you speak. Are you writing this book while we talk?

12. IB

    Ignatius BrevoortWriting is a strong word. As I wrote on page four hundred, a prophet should never be caught holding the pen.

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    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFair enough. One last question, then. Which page says the economy is going to be fine?

14. IB

    Ignatius BrevoortPage nine hundred, Chip. It isn't written yet, but I'm very confident in it.