Some see in the gathering gloom a historic opportunity to buy into the world's second-largest economy at firesale prices.

FORBES: Gaijin grave dancers

The Marlins started their most recent firesale by sending Hanley Ramirez to the L.A. Dodgers before the 2012 trade deadline.

FORBES: Miami Marlins Ownership Defiles Public's Trust with Another Roster Fire Sale

The Japanese firesale of bank loans has also given these banks a taste for trading loans as if they were bonds.

ECONOMIST: Asian lending

Of course Loria is no stranger to the firesale.

FORBES: Marlins Say Goodbye To Superstars And Playoff Hopes With Blockbuster Trade

In an extraordinarily convenient turn of events, one buyer of a firesale-priced HP TouchPad at Best Buy a couple of days ago claims his came out of the box with an extra special treat -- it's running Android, 2.2 to be exact.

ENGADGET: Alleged HP TouchPad running Android appears, can be yours on eBay (update: and another one!)