Where does this Slashdot obsession with a cashless/e-gold/alternative currency come from?
Money has been around for 3200 years [pbs.org]. Trade "I'll give you 2 sheep for one cow" has been around for thousands more.
I remember hearing these "cashless society" arguments in 1980. I look in my wallet 23 years later, and I still have a wad of cash in there, along with a credit card and ATM card. Sure, much of my purchasing is electronic, but it's far from cashless.
Now people are again saying "We'll be a cashless society in 25 years", and I still don't believe them. I've heard it before.
It reminds me of the "computers will solve all your paperwork problems. We will be a paperless society in 25 years." Cash is not going away anytime soon just because some money-geeks think they found an alternative.
As Ivanova from Babylon 5 said: "Every time somebody says we're coming into a paperless society, I get 10 more forms to fill out."
t reminds me of the "computers will solve all your paperwork problems. We will be a paperless society in 25 years." Cash is not going away anytime soon just because some money-geeks think they found an alternative.
I agree, especially here in the US, for a few reasons.
One, cash is tangible. You can see it. Thats a nice feeling. Outside of being mugged, you know you have it.
Two, deep inside us, we still don't fully trust everyone. I have used my credit card for everything from gas to groceries for MANY years. But I still prefer to have some cash in my pocket, and I will never fully trust my gubmint or bank. Hell, I wont even use the drive through. I use the lobby, thank you...
Three, there is a LARGE "grey" market in the US, and i assume everywhere. This is where only cash is accepted. From the flea market to your local drug dealer. Or maybe I don't want a paper trail showing how much I spent at the bar or bordello.
I can see CHECKS becoming obsolete, and using plastic for most purchases, but I don't see hard currency EVER just disappearing.
The ./ obsession with a cashless society? (Score:5, Insightful)
Money has been around for 3200 years [pbs.org]. Trade "I'll give you 2 sheep for one cow" has been around for thousands more.
I remember hearing these "cashless society" arguments in 1980. I look in my wallet 23 years later, and I still have a wad of cash in there, along with a credit card and ATM card. Sure, much of my purchasing is electronic, but it's far from cashless.
Now people are again saying "We'll be a cashless society in 25 years", and I still don't believe them. I've heard it before.
It reminds me of the "computers will solve all your paperwork problems. We will be a paperless society in 25 years." Cash is not going away anytime soon just because some money-geeks think they found an alternative.
As Ivanova from Babylon 5 said:
"Every time somebody says we're coming into a paperless society, I get 10 more forms to fill out."
Re:The ./ obsession with a cashless society? (Score:1)
I agree, especially here in the US, for a few reasons.
One, cash is tangible. You can see it. Thats a nice feeling. Outside of being mugged, you know you have it.
Two, deep inside us, we still don't fully trust everyone. I have used my credit card for everything from gas to groceries for MANY years. But I still prefer to have some cash in my pocket, and I will never fully trust my gubmint or bank. Hell, I wont even use the drive through. I use the lobby, thank you...
Three, there is a LARGE "grey" market in the US, and i assume everywhere. This is where only cash is accepted. From the flea market to your local drug dealer. Or maybe I don't want a paper trail showing how much I spent at the bar or bordello.
I can see CHECKS becoming obsolete, and using plastic for most purchases, but I don't see hard currency EVER just disappearing.