Markets are suffering from a nasty bout of millenarianism

A SKIT in the 1979 film, “The Secret Policeman’s Ball”, features Peter Cook, a revered British comedian, as the leader of a cult whose members have gathered on a mountain to watch the end of the world. His followers are full of questions. How will the Earth perish? Will there be a mighty wind? What will happen to homes? “Well, naturally they will be swept away and consuméd by the fire that dances on the Jeroboam,” he replies. “Serve them bloody well right!”