Idle Billions

This project's JavaScript, logic, and financial modeling were developed in collaboration with Gemini 2.5 Pro, a large language model from Google.

In the spirit of transparency, here is a breakdown of the app's methodology.

1. The Rate: A "Reliable" Simulation

The app defaults to a 3.5% APR as a realistic, conservative baseline. This figure is a plausible Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for a low-risk investment vehicle. To answer potential scrutiny and allow for different scenarios, the rate is also user-configurable.

2. The Logic: How The "Live" Ticker Was Built

The code was not generated all at once; it was built iteratively. The developer would request a feature ("add presets," "change the title," "make the rate dynamic"), and the AI would modify the JavaScript, explaining the changes. The core of the project is the math, which was designed to be as realistic as possible.

3. The Math: Why This Model is Accurate

The project's key challenge was to show a smooth, per-second ticker while remaining faithful to how banks actually calculate interest. This model assumes a monthly compounding period, where interest is calculated and added to the principal once per month.

The model accurately simulates this by splitting the math into two parts:

1. For All Past Months: The calculator uses the industry-standard compound interest formula to find the balance for all full months that have passed since the selected start date.
2. For the Current Month: This is the "live" part. The app first calculates the simple interest that will be earned for this entire month (based on the balance at the start of the month). Then, it displays a pro-rata fraction of that amount based on the exact time that has passed in the current month.

This hybrid, compounded-past + pro-rata-present model is a highly accurate way to visualize a live ticker that is based on a monthly-compounding financial product.

4. Does This Demonstrate Reality?

Yes. The "absurdity" this project demonstrates isn't an exaggeration—it's the result of applying real, standard financial math to numbers that are beyond normal comprehension. The model is an accurate reflection of the velocity of wealth at this scale. It shows that after a certain point, the "idle" principal generates more value on its own, passively, than a person could ever hope to earn through active labor.

This statement was authored by Gemini 2.5 Pro on November 13, 2025, based on the collaborative development of this project.