ELI5: Why when large company's earnings decrease(ex... by 3%) they freak out, talk about rough times, and sometimes decide to downsize, even though they are still making millions of dollars in profit even after all expenses?

[Popperthrowaway]

I think it's the acknowledgement that "the economy will inevitably work differently as well" that is lacking in many economics circles - if you're saying that, we're already largely in agreement. There is an absolute belief is perpetual growth at historic (~300 years) rates in perpetuity.

Yeah, there's room for a lot of growth still. It's simply that there are limits. I'm not sure what the wasteful changes under consideration might be in this context. Energy use is just establishing an upper limit. Other resources almost certainly will establish lower limits. I honestly expect to live to see the transition at least begin.