I thought tangentially about the money and how it wasn't "real" and just a societal construct. Some words of Bertrand Russell from years ago came to mind (I wish I could remember which book!) and I paraphrased him (without giving due credit I confess) by saying "It's true the money isn't real - I can't use it for shelter or eat it but I find these people working in stores called cashiers who seem perfectly willing to accept these useless bills in exchange for yummy food and other things I can actually use!"
Writing these words now, I had a flashback to 10th grade health class when we had to take turns doing skits of threatening situations. My partner and I decided to do a skit on a mugging. When I threatened him with "his money or his life" (quite menacingly as I recall) he responded with "money?" I then sighed with exasperation and explained "Yes - money: a modern instrument of exchange designed to replace the ancient system of bartering."
(photo from vintageverity.wordpress.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment