Gold Standard Movement Growing

[Valmy]

Gold is useful for a unit of exchance precisely because it is useless and rare.  If we needed it for something else it would make a pretty shitty currency and likewise if it was common people would spend their time hoarding it instead of working.  So it was perfect back in more primitive times.

But it makes no sense in a modern economy.

[Ideologue]

The value of gold has always struck me as absolutely bizarre.  I sort of understand its value as a currency in ancient economies, but other than its lack of reactivity it's not really good for that much (except wiring and some other industrial applications).  Isn't gold really just as much fiat currency as paper?

It's decorative and it doesn't oxidize.

Yeah, but nobody says we ought to move to a graphite standard.

What happened to Aluminum?

I changed it.  Aluminium passivates, and therefore resists corrosion, but I believe doesn't remain in one piece over geological timeframes.  Graphite will under standard conditions, I think, because of its extremely low reaction rates.

[Tonitrus]

Besides, if the shit hits the fan to the point of economic armageddon, as the gold-standard types are afraid of, the new currencies will be shotguns and canned goods.

[Razgovory]

Also I think Aluminum was regarded as very valuable in the 19th century, I think that's why they capped the Washington Monument with an aluminum pyramid.

[Razgovory]

Besides, if the shit hits the fan to the point of economic armageddon, as the gold-standard types are afraid of, the new currencies will be shotguns and canned goods.

If the shit hits the fan what money will be whatever the government wants it to be.  A major disaster will mean more government, not less.

[Valmy]

Also I think Aluminum was regarded as very valuable in the 19th century, I think that's why they capped the Washington Monument with an aluminum pyramid.

You are correct sir.

[Tonitrus]

Besides, if the shit hits the fan to the point of economic armageddon, as the gold-standard types are afraid of, the new currencies will be shotguns and canned goods.

If the shit hits the fan what money will be whatever the government wants it to be.  A major disaster will mean more government, not less.

I'd rather not to go around having to break up food riots. 

[HVC]

Also I think Aluminum was regarded as very valuable in the 19th century, I think that's why they capped the Washington Monument with an aluminum pyramid.

Used to be very hard to process. Not so much anymore, but a very large percentage of the worlds power supply is used to make it now.

[Eddie Teach]

Gold is useful for a unit of exchance precisely because it is useless and rare.  If we needed it for something else it would make a pretty shitty currency and likewise if it was common people would spend their time hoarding it instead of working.  So it was perfect back in more primitive times.

Don't forget shiny.

[DGuller]

I've generally been skeptical of the gold standard, but maybe with this runaway 2% hyperinflation we're experiencing drastic measures are called for.

[Razgovory]

Besides, if the shit hits the fan to the point of economic armageddon, as the gold-standard types are afraid of, the new currencies will be shotguns and canned goods.

If the shit hits the fan what money will be whatever the government wants it to be.  A major disaster will mean more government, not less.

I'd rather not to go around having to break up food riots. 

You ever see the movie "Threads"?  That's what a breakdown of society would be like.

[Ed Anger]

Besides, if the shit hits the fan to the point of economic armageddon, as the gold-standard types are afraid of, the new currencies will be shotguns and canned goods.

If the shit hits the fan what money will be whatever the government wants it to be.  A major disaster will mean more government, not less.

I'd rather not to go around having to break up food riots. 

You ever see the movie "Threads"?  That's what a breakdown of society would be like.

We'd turn English. 

[Viking]

Also I think Aluminum was regarded as very valuable in the 19th century, I think that's why they capped the Washington Monument with an aluminum pyramid.

At the time that was the largest single block of Aluminum in the world.

hmm.. that would have been a good question for the history quiz thread...

[Slargos]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium

[CountDeMoney]

The value of gold has always struck me as absolutely bizarre.  I sort of understand its value as a currency in ancient economies, but other than its lack of reactivity it's not really good for that much (except wiring and some other industrial applications).  Isn't gold really just as much fiat currency as paper?

It's decorative and it doesn't oxidize.

Yeah, but nobody says we ought to move to a graphite standard.

That's a great idea!  He with the most Blackwing pencils wins.