Construction of the world's tallest buildings typically coincides with the absolute peak of an economic boom and directly precedes a massive financial crash.

A closer look

Construction of the world's tallest buildings typically coincides with the absolute peak of an economic boom and directly precedes a massive financial crash. This phenomenon, known as the Skyscraper Index, was formulated by economist Andrew Lawrence in 1999 and shows a terrifying correlation between hubristic architecture and economic ruin. Examples include the Empire State Building opening during the Great Depression, the Sears Tower finishing right before the 1970s stagflation crisis, and the Burj Khalifa debuting just in time for the 2008 global financial meltdown. Apparently, the moment a society decides to waste billions of dollars erecting a monumental glass phallus into the clouds just to flex on their neighbors, the global economy immediately decides to humble them by imploding completely. Investors should probably start liquidating their portfolios the second someone announces a building that can touch the stratosphere