In "Flash Boys," Michael Lewis reflects on the aftermath of the financial crisis, highlighting the surprising lack of accountability for major players like Goldman Sachs. Despite the firm’s significant involvement in the crisis, only one employee faced legal consequences, and that individual was punished for taking something from the company rather than for any wrongdoing related to the crisis itself. This raises questions about the justice and regulatory systems that seem to protect larger institutions while penalizing individual employees.

This situation serves to illustrate a broader issue within the financial industry. The contrast of a single employee being charged while executives evade scrutiny reflects a systemic failure to address the root causes of financial misconduct. Lewis critiques the prevailing mindset that allows powerful financial institutions to operate with impunity, suggesting that without significant reform, the cycle of crisis and minimal accountability will continue, affecting not only the institutions involved but also the broader economy and society.