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I am certainly not pro-cashless, but the points this article makes are lackluster at best. In an entirely cashless society, the problem isn't that "not everyon

I am certainly not pro-cashless, but the points this article makes are lackluster at best. In an entirely cashless society, the problem isn't that "not everyone is included", the problem is surveillance. You can solve inclusion easily enough... Replace cash with prepaid cards (an idea posed in the article), or issue small, purpose-built digital wallets (equivalent to a low-power smartphone, except only for managing your digital bank account), or any number of other solutions. An even better idea is to just legally require businesses to accept cash (although this goes directly against the concept of cashless). Digital (non-"crypto") currencies could do a lot of good when applied properly. I just don't think any government or institution would apply it properly.

Findecanor 4y ago
You're overlooking a couple of things: person-to-person transactions, and the disabled/impaired. Among those who protest the most against a cashless society are interest groups for the elderly and the handicapped. The blind need their money amounts to be tactile, well ... because they need almost everything they interact with to be. You can't use prepaid cards for person-to-person transactions, but there are various types of smartphone apps. But then you are back to the original problem in the article. And you need to have good eye sight to use those too, so you can't be too old. And a good signal to the nearest tower, which rules out rural areas. .. and no service disruptions.
- lightedman 4y ago
  My contactless payment (GPay with my debit card on it) on my phone works without a cellular connection. It literally just physically acts as a card. This phone has had the SIM removed, airplane mode on with wifi shut off, and only the NFC functionality active. It exists solely as my contactless payment method. The only real issue - you have to keep it powered.
rufus_foreman 4y ago
>> Replace cash with prepaid cards Prepaid with what?

Findecanor 4y ago

You're overlooking a couple of things: person-to-person transactions, and the disabled/impaired. Among those who protest the most against a cashless society are interest groups for the elderly and the handicapped. The blind need their money amounts to be tactile, well ... because they need almost everything they interact with to be. You can't use prepaid cards for person-to-person transactions, but there are various types of smartphone apps. But then you are back to the original problem in the article. And you need to have good eye sight to use those too, so you can't be too old. And a good signal to the nearest tower, which rules out rural areas. .. and no service disruptions.

lightedman 4y ago
My contactless payment (GPay with my debit card on it) on my phone works without a cellular connection. It literally just physically acts as a card. This phone has had the SIM removed, airplane mode on with wifi shut off, and only the NFC functionality active. It exists solely as my contactless payment method. The only real issue - you have to keep it powered.

rufus_foreman 4y ago

>> Replace cash with prepaid cards Prepaid with what?