Most people like bubbles. Some like to bathe in bubbles; others to drink them. To live in a bubble can be thought a pleasant state. Bubbles also have an attractive metaphysical quality. Three centuries ago, the English poet Francis Quarles asked what was lighter than wind, fire or even the mind? “A thought,” he replied. “Than thought? This bubble world.” Yet after the 10 bubble years of the noughties, many want to see them regulated out of existence – ideally forever.
大多数人喜欢泡沫。有的人喜欢洗泡泡浴,有的人喜欢喝带泡沫的饮料。生活在泡沫之中可以被视为一种惬意的状态。泡沫还有一种迷人的玄学特质。三百年前,英国诗人弗朗西斯•夸尔斯(Francis Quarles)问,什么比风、火乃至精神更轻?“一个想法,”他回答道。“那么比想法更轻的呢?这个泡沫世界。”然而,充满泡沫的本世纪头十年过后,许多人希望看到的是,它们能被监管挤掉——最好是永远挤掉。