> <i>We were on the edge of something that could have taken civilization as we know it to the edge of ruin.</i><p>Banks alone can't take civilization down because they don't produce wealth. As long as there are factories, services, knowledgeable, skilled people doing useful things, the civilization will stand OK with or without the rotten banking system.<p>Failing banks, on the other hand, might have taken down Berkshire Hathaway, I suppose, but that's not the entire civilization.<p>> <i>Very high IQ people can be completely useless</i><p>... in the eyes of very low IQ people.<p>> <i>I see no reason to think Goldman misbehaved in some horrible fashion. Everyone was doing it, and it's only natural to increase your moneymaking activities when you can do so legally.</i><p>Should I really comment on this nonsense? Goldman was doing what everyone was doing without much thinking about the consequences, and they didn't misbehave? Actually he responds to himself a bit later:<p>> <i>You have to be able to keep your head on when everyone else is losing theirs.</i>