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Fiat currency owes its value to the threat of violence and/or loss of liberty? We are effectively bullied into buying into the system? And have little recourse

Fiat currency owes its value to the threat of violence and/or loss of liberty? We are effectively bullied into buying into the system? And have little recourse but to comply? Makes sense, but I do need to think about it. That said, on the weekend I did listen to a podcast where at one point taxes were (indirectly) described as behaviour modification. re: The right gov response... In theory yes, but only if the system's purpose is to maximize the benefit to all. On the other hand, if the system's purpose is to tilt the game to favor the few then responses can take many forms, as long as they enforce the tilt. A simple graph of income inequality and wealth distribution tells us all we need to know.

imtringued 4y ago
>That said, on the weekend I did listen to a podcast where at one point taxes were (indirectly) described as behaviour modification. Just wait until you hear about this thing called the law and the police force... For example, when the government introduces laws that prevent underage children from working, they do behaviour modification and they will even outright admit it and they won't even think they are wrong. Really insidious stuff, if you ask me.
- chiefalchemist 4y ago
  To clarify, taxes are generally seen as a "harmless" means for the government to collect revenue. The fact is, the act isn't that innocent.
jackcosgrove 4y ago
> if the system's purpose is to tilt the game to favor the few I wouldn't say it's the purpose, since banks are better at extending loans than the government such that losses are minimized, but getting first dibs on newly created money, and taking a small cut of it, is an incredible privilege.
- chiefalchemist 4y ago
  Yes. But when that privilege is abused then things go sideways. Given the concentration of wealth and it's getting more so, I'd say were deep into sideways.
  - imtringued 4y ago
    You could literally tax the rich, but oh wait, that would be behaviour modification...

imtringued 4y ago

>That said, on the weekend I did listen to a podcast where at one point taxes were (indirectly) described as behaviour modification. Just wait until you hear about this thing called the law and the police force... For example, when the government introduces laws that prevent underage children from working, they do behaviour modification and they will even outright admit it and they won't even think they are wrong. Really insidious stuff, if you ask me.

chiefalchemist 4y ago
To clarify, taxes are generally seen as a "harmless" means for the government to collect revenue. The fact is, the act isn't that innocent.

jackcosgrove 4y ago

> if the system's purpose is to tilt the game to favor the few I wouldn't say it's the purpose, since banks are better at extending loans than the government such that losses are minimized, but getting first dibs on newly created money, and taking a small cut of it, is an incredible privilege.

chiefalchemist 4y ago
Yes. But when that privilege is abused then things go sideways. Given the concentration of wealth and it's getting more so, I'd say were deep into sideways.
- imtringued 4y ago
  You could literally tax the rich, but oh wait, that would be behaviour modification...