Financial Crisis 101

Countless journalists and bloggers have commented on the who/what/when/why of the financial crisis we find ourselves in these days. In trying to make sense of it all, I stumbled upon a compelling series of 3 videos that actually makes things easier to understand.

The videos may seem a bit long at six to ten minutes each, but the presentation doesn't get bogged down in wonky terms or over-simplify things.  Also explained are collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps in similarly easy to grasp fashion.  So sit back with that adult beverage that I have a feeling is already in your hand and relax; you're in good hands!

First

Crisis explainer: Uncorking CDOs from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Second

Untangling credit default swaps from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Third (final)

The credit crisis as Antarctic expedition from Marketplace on Vimeo.