This is a common error; the reverse is actually true. Cells (and by extension, us) serve DNA. Cells (again, by extension, us) are merely vehicles for DNA to replicate - they're the unit of evolution. As a consequence, the DNA does not care whether it contains 'junk' bits. It only cares if it's faithfully copied. Btw, this is an astonishing consequence of evolution that personally blows my mind. If anybody's interested, read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins.

Note: I'm aware that DNA is a mindless macro-molecule. It just easier to anthropomorphism it for the purpose of discussion.

PCB

You must be an Albertan! I don't mean any disrespect, but Albertans need to stop beating that dead horse called the NEP. It was 35 bloody years ago! Were you even born? It may even be relevant for your comment, but it still drives me nuts. Every time I'm in Calgary, it takes no less than 5 minutes for someone to mention the NEP. Doesn't matter the topic, eventually the NEP is mention. WTF!

Sorry, just needed to vent....

That's the whole point! Canadian regs required a higher ratio than both Europe and the US. So in fact, it was a better regulatory framework that saved the Canadian banks.

This happens anyways. I often take work home and use my machine at home. I bet a lot people do this...

PCB

What's the old adage, "Countries don't have friends, only interests".

Your certainty actually demonstrates your lack of intelligence, especially since you've clearly developed your opinion from very limited data - or more accurately - from other peoples opinion.

With the exception of the last few years, the value of gold reached a peak around 1980. Even today, it's still about half the value it was then. So to say that if we still had the gold standard today, the dollar would be worth 100 times its current value is very, very wrong (look it up!).

The only reason to peg the value of a currency against an external factor (i.e. gold, but any anything will work - I personally like NY real estate; it can't be stolen!) is to curb inflation. Politicians find it almost irresistible not to print money eventually (i.e. to pay for a war - yes, hello there GWB). causing inflation. This is especially true when you're a reserve currency like the USD was (note the past tense).

Gold bugs are obsessed with gold. They think it's a magically substance. In reality it's a pain in the ass: expensive to store (bulky), difficult to transport (heavy), and extremely environmentally damaging to extract from the ground.

Oh, even gold exhibits inflation: as the more gold is mined from the ground, the value decreases (same effect as printing money). If the value ever go over $2K/ounce, you would see so much production capacity come online it would make your head spin (and the earth cry). Granted, it's not as easy as printing the stuff.

-PCB