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[Satsekhem]

I still want to know what the difference is between money-as-dollars and money-as-barter.

If I get food, shelter, and craft supplies (hey, a girl has needs!), does it really matter if I'm given the yarn directly or I'm given $100 and dropped off at a yarn store?

I think it does matter. I can't quite put it into words, but I think the reason the difference is so great in my mind is because one is a far simpler way than the other? Three hundred years ago, most things were done by the barter system. We were closer to the earth, closer to animal husbandry and farming, etc. Things were simpler then, I believe, and of course far more difficult in the way of life. I think the use of currency has taken us away from that (currency isn't the only thing, of course, technology and industrialization and modern life are a part of it, too). And, yeah.

Do you understand what I'm trying to say or did I do a poor job of explaining?

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

I think it does matter. I can't quite put it into words, but I think the reason the difference is so great in my mind is because one is a far simpler way than the other? Three hundred years ago, most things were done by the barter system. We were closer to the earth, closer to animal husbandry and farming, etc. Things were simpler then, I believe, and of course far more difficult in the way of life. I think the use of currency has taken us away from that (currency isn't the only thing, of course, technology and industrialization and modern life are a part of it, too). And, yeah.

Do you understand what I'm trying to say or did I do a poor job of explaining?

It makes sense - but I disagree completely.

There's a REASON why we do things on a money system instead of barter.  It means that if you want my yarn, and I want Fred's cow, I can sell you my yarn and use that money to go get the cow, instead of trying to find a way to work with both you and Fred separately and getting into a mess.

And then there's the issue of "company towns" - where everything was through the company stores.  There's a REASON why we want people to have freedom of choice in where to get things - those people were virtual slaves to the company!  Because the only way they could get what they needed - was to shop the company stores.  Which charged more than they were paid.  Etc.

I think there are places our economic system has gone off the rails - I think there's WAY too much focus on credit, f'ex - but I wouldn't go back to barter if you paid me.  (yes, pun intended)

There's SO MANY things a true monetary system gives us that a barter system just plain doesn't.  There's SO MUCH freedom it offers.  Barter locks you in - you have to want what Fred has to offer, or no deal.

Barter makes large-scale production COMPLETELY impossible.  Which may or may not be a bad thing in your view - but if you want a world where people can afford to dedicate themselves completely to priesthood with no slaves and no massive servant class, there has to be a way to support the priests without them having to make a deal with each individual person ..... "no, I have enough cow.  Do you have carrots?  Okay, corn.  I can do corn.  A painting?  I can't eat a painting!"

[Satsekhem]

It makes sense - but I disagree completely.

There's a REASON why we do things on a money system instead of barter.  It means that if you want my yarn, and I want Fred's cow, I can sell you my yarn and use that money to go get the cow, instead of trying to find a way to work with both you and Fred separately and getting into a mess.

And then there's the issue of "company towns" - where everything was through the company stores.  There's a REASON why we want people to have freedom of choice in where to get things - those people were virtual slaves to the company!  Because the only way they could get what they needed - was to shop the company stores.  Which charged more than they were paid.  Etc.

I think there are places our economic system has gone off the rails - I think there's WAY too much focus on credit, f'ex - but I wouldn't go back to barter if you paid me.  (yes, pun intended)

There's SO MANY things a true monetary system gives us that a barter system just plain doesn't.  There's SO MUCH freedom it offers.  Barter locks you in - you have to want what Fred has to offer, or no deal.

Barter makes large-scale production COMPLETELY impossible.  Which may or may not be a bad thing in your view - but if you want a world where people can afford to dedicate themselves completely to priesthood with no slaves and no massive servant class, there has to be a way to support the priests without them having to make a deal with each individual person ..... "no, I have enough cow.  Do you have carrots?  Okay, corn.  I can do corn.  A painting?  I can't eat a painting!"

I see your point.

[SatAset]

I see you and Nehet and SatAset and DarkHawk with your knowledge and wisdom about the faith (with bends toward other areas, of course) and I think, These are shining examples. This is how I want to be seen, too.

Thank you for the compliment. 

[Satsekhem]

Thank you for the compliment. 

You're welcome.

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