Ah, you are likely referring to Stein’s Law, named after economist Herbert Stein. Stein’s Law is a principle in [[Economics]] and public policy, which states: “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” This deceptively simple observation highlights a key idea in economic and financial trends: unsustainable situations eventually correct themselves. Examples of Stein’s Law in Practice: 1. Government Debt: If a [[Government]] accumulates unsustainable levels of debt, at some point, it will be forced to address the issue—whether through austerity, default, or other corrective measures. 2. Housing Bubbles: Housing prices cannot rise indefinitely at rates far outpacing incomes; eventually, the bubble bursts. 3. Environmental Degradation: If a resource is overexploited to the point of unsustainability, its use will inevitably decline, either through depletion or regulatory action. Herbert Stein developed this principle as a way to temper doomsday predictions. While it acknowledges that unsustainable trends must end, it does not specify how or when the correction will occur—leaving room for uncertainty and human intervention. Would you like more specific examples or insights into its application in modern contexts? `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Digital index]]