Money as a form of credit is zero sum. For example on the other side of every US dollar is debt security (government or mortgage) that the Fed has bought. Money

Money as a form of credit is zero sum. For example on the other side of every US dollar is debt security (government or mortgage) that the Fed has bought. Money only has meaning if someone (maybe indirectly) owes you that money. But it is correct that absolute wealth (or what economists call utility) is not zero sum. To focus on relative wealth is to invite unhappiness that no one or system can help. We don't live in Lake Woebegone.