The Ultimate Matrix

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."
--Morpheus (The Matrix)

I wonder whether fiat money might not be the ultimate 'Matrix' of our times. After all, most people equate a stack of dolars with a stack of wealth. And it may very well be wealth to those who can get their hands on that pile of paper early enough in the game when there is still some value to be had.

But that is the problem with fiat money. Its wealth properties are transitory. 'First users' can lay claim on relatively high amounts of resources. But those who hold fiat currency for prolonged periods of time, or those who take ownership of paper currency late in the cycle, are able to claim far fewer resources.

The process is slow enough that the 'late users' do not realize that they are being robbed. Meanwhile, oceans of paper printed by the govt create the illusion of prosperity as the silent transfer of wealth takes place.

Quite the ingenious invention of the State, really, when you think about it.