Debt based economy
>government in a perpetual debt crisis
>NEEDS massively high GDP or else it can't finance the debt
>cuts interest rates to rock bottom levels, ginning up massive consumption splurge
>everyone goes into debt to buy things they don't even need
>massive advertising industry to foist products on people they don't want or need
>resources of the earth are being burned in an orgy of consumption on useless crap
>government goes deeper in debt to "stimulate" the economy
>goes even deeper in debt to secure military positions in far-flung regions to control resources
>average American becomes an obese cow who dies at 50 from weight complications
>houses filled with useless crap they don't even fucking need

Real economy
>people save their money, only spend on what they actually need
>work less hours, invest their time on improving themselves
>spend their extra time working out, reading books, gaining spiritual enlightenment
>average man is slim and fit, owns a house, and has $2 million backstop in the bank
>innovation rate increases as humans spend less time in meaningless consumption jobs and more on creative pursuits
>outdoors becomes something livable as people go outside, and invest time and effort building monuments, trails, art projects
>more resources for core-research in science and engineering that actually advances humanity. Carbon Nanotubes.