In a post-Apocalypse world, what would be the new money?
Asked by
ETpro (
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December 31st, 2011
Our paper currency is a faux-currency. It has value because we say it has value—because we all agree it has value. In a world where there was no national gross-domestic product to back the value of a US dollar, or a Japanese Yen, or a British Pound, faux currencies would only be worth the value of the paper they are printed on. Many turn to gold as a currency of last resort. But gold has little intrinsic value either. If you were marooned on a desert island, gold would make a lousy pillow, or bed. You couldn’t eat it. Nor could you take it as medicine to treat an infection. More mundane articles like pillows, bedding, food and medicine would be of far greater intrinsic value than precious metals or jewels.
So as we prepare to welcome 2012, or have already done if you live in certain time zones; can we think fancifully about what we’d do if the 2012 prophesies came true and we survived but civilization as we know it did not? What do you think would be used initially as currency for trade?
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Wampum? Yams? Cows or sheep? But that’s going backwards. Thinking ahead, marijuana? Or we could just barter. Some people are trying that already.
Food, skins, tools, building materials, weapons, etc. Basically what the native Americans used prior to about 500 years ago.
Anything that has quality has worth. Anything that’s a rarity has worth. So I would think things that didn’t come around too often could be used as currency. Then again what its worth to me might not be what its worth to you. Meaning we would all have to agree on a specific type of currency again.
According to The Road, the wipes from KFC and the like. Oh and all those little shampoos/soaps and the like I have collected during hotel visits will be great currency.
Gasoline and oil. Mad Max.
I agree with the people above, weapons and ammo.
Gasoline preserver will be worth a ton. Gasoline on its own is only good for at best, two years. Oil and lubrication will be worth a lot. Engines and parts, generators. Matches, fire starting fluids, cleaners, bleach, etc will all be worth a ton. Duck tape, sealing tapes, plastic sheeting, foil and fishing line will be worth a lot as well. Steel, copper and brass will be worth something. Rope, ammo re-loaders, ax’s, knives, tools… All very important to have.
The most important after everything settles though will be entertainment. Books, videos, art supplies, etc. Ammo will be important to have but eventually everyone will settle down and place themselves where they feel safe. In the long run of things, with everyone carrying weapons, the violence will settle. The ability to reload brass casings is more important than the amount of ammo you have. Still, though…You need to be able to shoot straight when needed and that is harder than you think for some.
Canned food?
Edit: Ah, you’re talking about initally. Not when the food runs out.
@Bellatrix The first thing that pops into my mind is The Road, too.
@judochop Hmm true, I was thinking more along the lines of an ongoing zombie apocalypse, but if it’s just a disaster and everyone settles down after a while that would change.
For most of the above guns and ammo people, I see that it would be useful for getting food the easy way, except the animals would probably be as decimated as the people. However, I simply do not believe that the common folk will be going around killing everything in sight.
My hope is the Postman movie is more to the way things will be, as opposed to Mad Max.
Therefore, seeds, water and labor will be the accepted form of exchange.
@XOIIO if case of Zombie apocalypse….I would say.
Large boat.
Large harpoons.
Life jackets.
Dragon skin covers.
Large weapons, assault rifles, pistols, rpg’s, lmg’s, shotguns with slugs.
Explosives.
Chainsaws.
Flame throwers.
Sniper rifles.
Night vision.
Radio controlled helicopters, boats and cars. All R/C scale.
Acid or hardcore corrosives.
Spot lights that can strobe.
Very loud speakers and frequency senders to disorient predators.
I think if I had these things and four other people that I could last out for a long time if there are fish to eat. As long as someone does not have torpedoes and or a battleship.
Reputation…and value to the community
I think we do need to aknowlegde that porn would be in demand to some extent. Either that or birth controll. One or the other with nothing else to do XD
I was thinking seeds, particulkarly ones for food crops. I was surprised nobody before @YARNLADY brought that up. In fact, they actually were used as an exchange currency in ancient times. While having lots of ammo and weapons would be a real advantage, trading in them might end up counterproductive.
On this cheery nots, I will say, Happy New Year, all you fellow Jellies. I wish you all a prosperous and exciting 2012 and many returns.
Dragon skin is a ballistic protection vest. It stops large caliber rounds and shrapnel.
Weapons, food and whatever medical supplies one can amass, and properly use.
And pillows!
@Symbeline I suspect those who prefer weapons over seeds would self exterminate in short order, and those who concentrate on growing their own food rather than killing animals or other humans for it would prevail.
@ETpro Depends on the reason why you need weapons.
I’m not a hunter, and even with some supreme gun, I probably couldn’t shoot a pile of dead bears worth shit. I’d be raiding grocery stores for anything that’s still good. I wouldn’t go around terrorizing people, either. However, I do think many people would do that. I’d stay away from people as much as I could, actually. The weapons, I would keep for when meeting someone who wants to kill or rape me, just because they can. You need to be able to defend yourself. Teaming up with people who want to survive would be a good idea, but you sure can’t trust everyone who says the first comforting thing, or even acts it out. Not in a world where social boundaries, by which we live, are now completely shattered. So I think guns are a good idea. Against people, wildlife…mine is a means of defense only. (or to bust open locked doors, which may contain things I need) Unless there’s zombies. Then I’m going fucking Terminator style.
If your example suggests that everyone is dead but me, then no, I’ll grab seeds besides guns. But from my personal idea of the Apocalypse, there are many dangers to consider.
Perhaps I would become a danger. What’s the point of me having any guns, even for self defense, if I can’t even shoot some dead bears lol.
@Symbeline That discussoin makes my point pretty well, THere would be those that play Mad Max. I think the rest of us would exterminate them, not the other way around. We have already run the simulation. Rape and pillage lost out to farm and family. It always will.
Those that view survival as King of the Mountain will end up alone if they win, and isolated against superior odds if they lose. It’s a no-win proposition.
Well, if the Apocalypse ever happens, I hope you’re right. I’ll be in some forest somewhere. I mean, look at Lord of the Flies. And they were children. I’m staying away from all parties lol.
But in the meanwhile, I’m sure people will need medical supplies and food, so I can always trade…if I dun need them myself. XD
Don’t forget scones.
Ammunition, weapons and medical supplies.
augustlan, cprevite *, @Judi & @MilkyWay I’d trade in any of those. The only problem is some are difficult to deliver at a distance.
Depending where you are, I could see water becoming valuable.
Anyway, in a post apocalyptic situation, the economy would be barter based as everyone has varying wants as we see above a whole assortment of goodies ranging from equipment to slaves to “services.”
@ETpro: Oh, they all freeze. Ya know…cold, hard, cash. ;^)
@ragingloli Inhumanly pale and sometimes transparent skin. Thanks, but mp thanks. Some like it hot.
Everything that was traded on the black market is post WWII Germany, before the introduction of the new German currency in 1948. A very popular form of money were American cigarettes.
@mattbrowne Yeah, that would provide a pretty informative study. Thanks.
Nothing we would all work for ourselves…I just watched this you tube video on Commodity Fetishism. “Warning this 10 minute video contains nothing sexual.”
@talljasperman “10 minute video contains nothing sexual.” Yes, commodity fetishism is certainly not very titillating. Unfortunately, it also contains nothing sensical.
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