TOKYO – Fluctuations in the world’s economies are largely due to the stories we hear and tell about them. These popular, emotionally relevant narratives sometimes inspire us to go out and spend, start businesses, build new factories and office buildings, and hire employees; at other times, they put fear in our hearts and impel us to sit tight, save our resources, curtail spending, and reduce risk.
东京—世界经济体的波动原因大体上就是我们所听到和谈论的那些。这些流行的、与情感相关的故事有时会促使我们出门消费、开办企业、建造新工厂和写字楼、雇用工人；有时则会让我们心存恐惧、坐立不安，让我们将资源储蓄起来，削减支出，降低风险。它们要么刺激我们的“动物精神”，要么压制这一精神。