Far from mirroring the perversity of the financial system, the current crisis reflects the complexity of social practices. Wrong interpretations that are seemingly obvious must be kept at arm’s length, as they are misleading and hide real dangers. Risk aversion, which engenders insecurity, is a bad omen of economic recovery. Criticism of financial engineering may end up in protectionist measures in respect to trade relations. To properly interpret this crisis, a broader historical perspective is necessary, beyond short-term reactions.