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March 13, 2008 -- 7:56 AM
posted by Al
I'm almost ready to sign up... it all depends on who is giving the so called stimulation...
March 12, 2008 -- 8:36 PM
posted by Al
After thinking about it, I'd have to agree with Par. As long as there is cash flow between people then the economy will keep on running. Only when the purchasing power of money is taken away will people turn to other alternatives. As with the case with the Weimar republic pre-WW2 Germany. The lack of purchasing power was caused by hyperinflation because they printed more Reichmarks to pay back reparations but didn't back there Reichmark with assets. Therefore the actual value of the dollar went down due to "dilution" of the value. Now I'm wondering what effect one person owning 99.9% of the wealth will have? As Par mentioned probally not much, sure eveyone won't have much money but if there is still cash flow there is still money going into the system. The dollar will probally gain more purchasing power since what assets that are left will be worth more.
So like Par said if there is cash flow then nothing will change. If the individual shuts down cash flow then his wealth would lose meaning, ie: cash only has value as a asset if people accept it for an asset. In other words cash only has symbolic meaning, it's hard to quantify it's actual value unless you back it up with solid assets like gold (Not done anymore). But currency is given an artificial value on the stock market, it's people's desire to make money which gives currency it's value.
Still kind of sketchy on the logic, but this is the best I can do for now.
March 12, 2008 -- 4:27 PM
posted by Par
I love edge cases...
I'm not sure, Jess. I mean, even if one person had 99.9% of the world's wealth, assuming the remaining 0.1% was distributed in a fashion, say, similar to the distribution now, people would go on functioning as they do now. (I'm not sure how much of an impact the proportion of global wealth in the hands of Gates or Buffett has on my day-to-day life.)
Then again, if the one person made it their business not to allow that, things probably would change. But, given the alternative you suggest, that probably wouldn't be in that person's interest, right?
March 12, 2008 -- 9:56 AM
posted by Jess
Promotional campaigns for your own city are funny. This one rather more so.
March 12, 2008 -- 8:32 AM
posted by Al
Too early for early brain work! I haven't had my morning coffee yet! I'll think this one thru so you'll get a good (I hope) response later.
March 11, 2008 -- 11:15 PM
posted by Jess
Hypothetical question:
What percentage of the total world's wealth, entirely in the hands of one individual (or family), would be required for the rest of the world's population to decide that money doesn't mean anything anymore, and come up with some other system? Or just some other currency.
March 11, 2008 -- 7:34 PM
posted by Al
Alright last random post for today, more Street fighter later years!
March 11, 2008 -- 7:28 PM
posted by Al
Pretty cool music video, but also the artist Kaki King is considered one of the greatest guitar players in the world! This song doesn't really showcase her guitar playing too much but good song nonetheless.
