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On the other hand, we have invented a new energy source and no longer have much need for oil or farmland. Meanwhile, gold will most likely still enjoy its statu
by Tycho 14y ago
On the other hand, we have invented a new energy source and no longer have much need for oil or farmland. Meanwhile, gold will most likely still enjoy its status as a luxury item which people will clamour for no matter what the price (our needs are limited, but our wants are unlimited...).
- rmc 14y agoIf you're presuming a new invention that makes farm land and oil irrelevant (a star trek replicator) then it's likely gold can be produced by this new method as for there to be unlimited supply, making your pile worthless
- spqr 14y agoEven with a Star Trek replicator, there are some things that cannot be replicated such as latinum: http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Latinum http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Latinum
- Tycho 14y agoYou have a point, although I suspect you'd end up with a division in mindshare between 'synth gold' and 'real gold', which might complicate the matter. But I was thinking more along the lines that people will be constantly trying to invent replacements for oil and more cost effective food stuffs, whereas there's far less need for a replacement for gold (or gold mining). Besides, I imagine even if we did invent a replicator, it would still need the raw material input so it wouldn't really affect the demand for gold. It would just effect how much land we need to grow food and things like that.