The New York Times has a biography on Nouriel Roubini.

Roubini is one of the Cassandras of the financial and housing crisis from 2006, when no one would listen.

According to the article, after Roubini gave a talk on the housing bubble the response was:

The audience seemed skeptical, even dismissive. As Roubini stepped down from the lectern after his talk, the moderator of the event quipped, “I think perhaps we will need a stiff drink after that.” People laughed

What explains Dr. Doom's perceptions is his international economics background and the particular study of domestic economies financial collapses: