Mark Twain Quote In The Big Short
The Big Short is a movie that tells the story of the 2008 financial crisis. The movie is based on the book by Michael Lewis, which explains how a small group of investors saw the crisis coming and bet against the housing market. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie involves a quote by Mark Twain. The quote is: "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."
The Context of the Quote
Mark Twain was a famous American writer and humorist who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his witty and insightful comments on the human condition. The quote used in The Big Short is one of his most famous quotes. It is often used to highlight the dangers of overconfidence and the importance of questioning assumptions.
In the context of The Big Short, the quote is used to show how the financial industry was blinded by its own assumptions. The industry assumed that housing prices would continue to rise indefinitely, and that the mortgage-backed securities they were creating were safe investments. The investors who bet against the housing market, however, saw that these assumptions were flawed. They saw that the housing market was built on a foundation of bad loans and that a collapse was inevitable.
The Relevance Today
The quote by Mark Twain is still relevant today. It highlights the dangers of overconfidence and the importance of questioning assumptions. In the financial industry, for example, assumptions about the safety of investments can lead to disastrous consequences. The 2008 financial crisis was a prime example of this. Banks and investors assumed that the housing market was safe and that the securities they were creating were low-risk. When these assumptions proved false, the consequences were catastrophic.
Outside of the financial industry, the quote is relevant to many areas of life. It highlights the importance of being open-minded and not assuming that we know everything. It encourages us to question our assumptions and to be willing to learn and grow.
Conclusion
The quote by Mark Twain used in The Big Short is a powerful reminder of the dangers of overconfidence and the importance of questioning assumptions. It highlights the need to be open-minded and to be willing to learn and grow. The quote is still relevant today, and it serves as a warning to all of us to be wary of what we think we know for sure.
