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Debt Clock Can't Keep Up

by Evan Shamoon on October 13, 2008 at 08:40 AM



In a perfect sign of the times, the National Debt Clock -- a real, physical device in New York, which is used to mark the national debt level in the United States -- has run out of digits.

All was fine (with the debt clock, that is) until last month, when the national debt level passed the $10 trillion point, and the clock could no longer fit the number. The board was built in 1989 to call attention to the country's then $2.7 trillion level of debt. And now, a couple of wars and a mortgage crisis later, it stands a more than triple that amount.

The clock's owners say two more zeros will be added to it, allowing the clock to record a quadrillion dollars of debt. Which leaves us with plenty of room for growth! This isn't good. [From: The BBC]

Tags: business, economy, weird

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