So, how ridiculous is ridiculous? The Deus Ex example of gas prices costing $3.95 in the Video Games section is not ridiculous. But the Saints Row 2 example, $8.50, ridiculous?
Is this trope always Played for Laughs? Is it purposeful exaggeration? Is it the author simply not doing the research? It's listed under Comedy Tropes, if that's worth anything.
The actual description, by the way, is sort of useless, as it just describes inflation in general, and not how it's used in fiction.
Mighty pirate!
Examples should be ridiculous compared to whenever they were written. For the Deus Ex example, the game was released in 2000, when the average price of gas had never in the history of the U.S. risen above $1.50 per gallon.
Perpetually Confused
Except that Deus Ex takes place 20 Minutes into the Future. Eitherway, my problem is not with Deus Ex, it's with all the Real Life examples. The description could probably use some triming to push the part about re-issuing currency down (perhaps make it replace the Real Life section?)
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
Are there still unresolved issues, or would it be alright to lock this thread and remove the TRS tag from the article?
Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
Perpetually Confused
Seeing as the Real Life section is still here, and we don't have Time Travel, yes, problem persists.
That Guy
I recommend just cutting the real-life section entirely, seeing how this trope is technically impossible IRL.
I reject your requirement for a witty statement or fanboyish squealing in my signature.
The Other Troper
Now if someone in real life speculated that this would happen, that would be an example.
I'm on the internet. My arguments are invalid.
Loser
I support cutting the real life section too. I feel like it is really just about really high inflation, while the trope is supposed to be about incredibly high inflation in the future (which I would guess would involve some time travel).
It looks like Routerie cut the real life section for us.
edited 7th May '11 5:37:21 PM by LouieW
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Lost in Space
Well, some of the Real Life examples certainly are of Ridiculous Inflation and might be considered this trope from the perspective of the past... I can see the reason for cutting it though.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
The real life section of Ridiculous Future Inflation is kind of completely missing the point. The trope is that, in the future, stuff will cost a ludicrously huge amount of money (ie: If a Hotdog was 2 cents 100 years ago, it might be 200 dollars 100 years from now).
Seeing as no Real Life country involves time travel or The Future, most of the real life section should be cut. This trope is not about simple high inflation rates or currency devaluation.