Central bankers' musings, on the other hand, contain clues about upcoming monetary-policy shifts. Last week, interest-rate watchers, at least, enjoyed a feast of dramas and conspiracies. Mr Greespan delighted domestic viewers by, ever so slightly, softening his anti-inflationary stance. Suitably reassured, the Dow Jones soared. Amid talk US rates have peaked, the outlook for Europe provides a stark contrast.
Viewers worry about the tricky dilemma the young Frankfurt-based bank now faces.
A rate rise would address inflation and could support the beleaguered euro. But a hike could also stifle growth. In fact, even if the ECB does raise rates, audience sentiment means the euro could end up falling anyway - which, in turn, would bring further inflation. The knee-jerk rise in the euro would soon collapse as people realised the ECB was prepared to choke growth to further its supposed credibility. Opinion is divided, but emotions are strong on both sides.