I think the key question here is what daily life looks like in a world where value trends upward over time. Deflation isn’t just an economic shift, it changes behavior, planning, and expectations in ways we are not used to modeling.
Some assumptions we carry today would likely dissolve. Income structures, spending habits, and even career timelines might look very different. The idea of constant growth in nominal terms would lose relevance, and long-term stability would matter more than short-term expansion.
One outcome that feels intuitive is a reduction in flippant consumption. When purchasing power increases over time, urgency fades. Ownership becomes more intentional. Fewer items, higher quality, longer lifespan. Buying once with care instead of replacing often out of necessity.
That shift alone would ripple through production, design, and cultural values. Durability, repair, and craftsmanship would matter again. Time would quietly regain weight in decision-making.
I think the key question here is what daily life looks like in a world where value trends upward over time. Deflation isn’t just an economic shift, it changes behavior, planning, and expectations in ways we are not used to modeling.
Some assumptions we carry today would likely dissolve. Income structures, spending habits, and even career timelines might look very different. The idea of constant growth in nominal terms would lose relevance, and long-term stability would matter more than short-term expansion.
One outcome that feels intuitive is a reduction in flippant consumption. When purchasing power increases over time, urgency fades. Ownership becomes more intentional. Fewer items, higher quality, longer lifespan. Buying once with care instead of replacing often out of necessity.
That shift alone would ripple through production, design, and cultural values. Durability, repair, and craftsmanship would matter again. Time would quietly regain weight in decision-making.