Money Examined From Ancient Times to Bitcoin
Summary
Money is not just coins, bills, or cryptocurrencies; it is fundamentally a system for recording credits and debts. Bill Maurer, dean of UC Irvine's School of Social Sciences, emphasizes that ancient economies relied on record-keeping rather than physical currency. He critiques the perception of Bitcoin as merely digital cash, arguing it remains tied to traditional notions of money. Instead, he suggests viewing it as rights to an evolving ledger. Maurer highlights blockchain's potential to reshape trust and relationships in a decentralized manner, reflecting human social organization.
