Can we spot bubbliness?

By analyzing uses of the phrase "this time is different"? Our new GPT seeks to find out. (Click the image to try it out on ChatGPT.)

History shows that the phrase “this time is different” is less a prophecy and more a tell - an audible tic markets make near periods of maximum optimism.

The last three years check the same boxes that preceded past bubbles: a unifying technological dream, new valuation yard-sticks, heavy policy cheer-leading, and a rapid rise in boosterish language.

As in every other episode, some innovations will endure - but buying them at bubble prices could lead to near term corrections, or worse. Our GPT tracker attempts to rate the AI-centered equity high-risk/high-fragility temperature heading into 2026, based on use of this and similar ideas.

Official Advisory: Be warned that this GPT-powered financial commentary tool is designed purely for amusement and intellectual whimsy. Stocks can rise spectacularly, inflate bubbly euphoria, or revert to boringly normal market cycles at will. Believing 'this time is different' could bring great wealth, momentary riches, eternal regret, or simply mild disappointment. Markets are unpredictable - like cats, weather forecasts, or avocado ripeness.