In this episode of the Bankless podcast, the hosts delve into Byrne Hobart's book "Boom," which makes the case that speculative bubbles, despite their risks, play an essential role in driving societal advancement. The discussion highlights how moments of intense investment, often sparked by the fear of missing out (FOMO), can lead to the creation of groundbreaking technologies and infrastructure that might never come to fruition otherwise. The authors differentiate between "productive" bubbles, fueled by true innovation, and those that are simply about financial gain through existing models. Additionally, the podcast examines the issue of societal stagnation, arguing that a culture of risk aversion and excessive regulation hinders progress. In contrast, it showcases the crypto community's willingness to embrace risk, setting it apart from a more cautious general society.