It’s worth thinking about that promise to ‘pay the bearer on demand the sum of ten pounds’. When we parse it, it’s not clear what it means. Ten pounds of what? We’ve already got ten pounds. That’s exactly what we’re holding in our hand. It doesn’t mean, pay the bearer on demand ten pounds’ worth of gold: the link between currency and gold was ended in 1971, and anyway, Gordon Brown sold off the Bank of England’s gold reserves in the 1990s. The fact is, there’s no answer to the question, ten pounds of what?
When Bitcoin Grows Up: What is Money?
More of Today's Solutions
Why you should drink coffee after breakfast—and not before
While it may be tempting to drink coffee the moment you get out of bed, a study from the University of Bath suggests that ...
Read MoreWildlife filmaker provides a unique insight into the daily lives of bees
You may have seen bees flying around your backyard or local park, but it can be difficult for the naked human eye to grasp ...
Read MoreThis is the UN plan to tackle plastic pollution
The Optimist Daily very much likes writing about plastic cleanup in the oceans. So, we were ecstatic when we learned about the beginnings of a ...
Read MoreRevel at the most detailed image of our universe yet
Here at The Optimist Daily, we have been sharing every exciting step of the James Webb Telescope’s journey, from its long-awaited launch, to when ...
Read More
