Mr. Decker, a question about future money?

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Mr. Decker,

The Whole Earth Quarterly ran an article a few years ago about electronic money. The article predicted the increasing use of debit cards as a way to carry 'cash', get paid, etc.

If there isn't enough paper cash to go around for all of us nervous nellies this December, but y2k does NOT cause significant power outages/computer failures, couldn't the bank just issue us debit cards in preset denominations? This would assume debit card readers work also.

You've been discussing why the banking industry won't go back to the gold standard, and that got me thinking about e-money.

Thanks for all the info you've shared.

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), April 30, 1999

Answers

Dear Helen,

I believe the Leatherman "Wave" multi-purpose tool, along with duct tape, will be the financial instruments of worth in the next millennium.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), April 30, 1999.


Ack!

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), May 01, 1999.

My dear Helen --- That wasn't me above. You can skip the duct tape. The Leatherman "Wave" multi-purpose tool will be all you need.

I remain, fondest readers, as always,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 01, 1999.


Mr. Decker,

I thought it was out of character, but maybe you had changed your mind? Thank you for clarifying that post. Do you have real answer?

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), May 01, 1999.


I suspect you might want to wait for the real Mr. Decker. If he's running true to form, you will see an answer in a while (hours or day or two) and you won't have a problem i d'ing him. He's probably working on the answer now. Some think before posting. (Yes, i've tried it, do it on rare occasions, fairly underrated, and you have to be sure [as Heinlein says] to wash afterwards)

Chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), May 01, 1999.



Dear Helen,

Chuck is quite correct... the earlier posts are the work of an imposter. I did write a brief post about the Leatherman "Wave" multi- purpose tool. I must confess. Like many of my gender, I enjoy gadgets.

The "duct tape" comment comes from a post by Mr. North. Personally, I do not find duct tape very useful now.

As the folks at Whole Earth predicted, I think currency will become increasingly electronic. If we faced a tumultuous situation, I do not think banks would issue debit credits... my guess is they would honor requests to draw down accounts with cashier's check or money order. For most families, there are a few large, recurring bills like the mortgage, power, phone, etc. Cashier's checks and money orders are accepted by all creditors and allow the banks to maintain liquidity without giving up all of their currency. I have also made the point that currency circulates. The people who have cash, often spend it. The merchants who receive it are often reluctant to have large amounts of cash so they deposit it... at the bank.

If you are nervous, Helen, have January's bills drawn on cashier's checks in December. Mail them via certified mail and you have a near foolproof plan. Thank you for your kind comments.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 02, 1999.


Thanks!

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), May 02, 1999.

Hey Mr Decker, I wanna DECK you hard in the face!

-- hellen (karl@ozemail.com.au), May 02, 1999.

Hellen,

Need an address?

Regards

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 03, 1999.


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