Money
Money has always played a leading role in the capitalist Matrix Universe. But let’s think about what money actually is from the System’s perspective, and whether it plays as primary a role for humans as it does today.
I’ll start by saying that every country has its own currency and banknotes that the state produces or prints for its own needs: whether it’s controlling trade within its territory, issuing additional banknotes to increase the money supply, mutually beneficial financial cooperation with other countries around the world, or something else along those lines. And if that’s the case, then the function and ultimate purpose of money are inextricably linked precisely to state, governmental institutions, which, as we already know, are faithful conduits of the Matrix. After all, without a national currency, a state simply wouldn’t exist.
It simply wouldn’t be able to realize itself within the System. Money is a guaranty of a state’s solvency, expressed in a concrete form. Its sign of belonging to the global “elite club” for the distribution of material and non-material resources. Of course, there’s also the private sector – large financial players who set their own rules, often at odds with government regulations. But even they, ultimately, cannot go against the interests of the ruling elite and those above them.
Another amazing phenomenon of money is that, while essentially an abstraction and a complete sham, it still takes on many different forms and purposes. It all depends on how and where you use the banknotes with numbers and portraits drawn on them.
Let’s take, for example, a hypothetical ten thousand dollars. For some, earning such a sum is a lifelong dream, and most likely, an unattainable ideal in principle. For others, this amount with four zeros means absolutely nothing, and they can spend it without a second thought on some trinket: for example, buy some expensive but completely useless accessory or go on a trip around the world. For the third category (let’s call them, conditionally, “businessmen”), money is simply a tool for making the same profits. They will invest those ten thousand in some profitable business project, and then “recoup” them by earning several times more.
It’s hard to imagine a sphere where money wouldn’t be one of the main tools. In our world, these pieces of paper often serve as a bargaining chip, a means of blackmail, a cause for wars, and act as the “grand prize” in political games and other dubious schemes.
Nowadays, money acts as a universal intermediary, or, if you prefer, a pervasive blood vessel, connecting, serving, and nourishing the main, trunk arteries of the Matrix. And we already know them: among others, these are areas such as politics, culture, education, medicine, science, and sports. Essentially, in any area on Earth we can imagine, money is involved in some way. What is their magnetic power and influence over human nature? Why have these colourful coins, banknotes, and their electronic equivalent become so ingrained, becoming an integral part of our civilization, that it’s even difficult to imagine an alternative to them now?
– Who said that the economy should be the foundation and backbone of any civilized society? The economy, as stated in one clever book, is merely “the rational allocation of limited resources.” I would add, resources that are already available. So why should we use terms like “buy” and “sell” and compete over who has a more reliable banking system and a stronger currency instead of actually inventing or devising something that would allow us to radically change the entire agenda of today, while at the same time operating outside the ubiquitous and all-consuming System?
You might say this is utopian. Perhaps. But… let’s continue our logical reasoning and assume that humanity has already reached the qualitative level mentioned above. Yes, I am suggesting that you literally look into the future and design (predict) a futuristic model of the upcoming civilization. Will people then need money or its equivalent, what kind of society will it be, and the most important question: will all this take place inside the Matrix, outside it, and what level should it be for homo sapiens’ dependence on money to cease to be the heavy burden that modern society has taken upon itself?
Example of a future society without money
In this society, there are no commodity-market relations as we know them today. There is no such thing as money there. Everything happens harmoniously and on the basis of mutual consent.
For example, someone needs to purchase a set of colorful umbrellas. The person who needs them sends a telepathic signal (and the level of development of the society we are talking about apriori presupposes the development of this superpower — author) to the general network. This signal instantly spreads across the entire globe, and when a recipient with the necessary goods is found, the customer immediately receives a notification. Either telepathically or via a regular computer. And the desired goods (in this case, umbrellas) are instantly transported, that is, teleported (which will also become commonplace in the society of the future) to the point on the planet where the customer is located at that moment.
You might ask: why should the recipient give up what he has by sending a valuable item to a stranger? Especially if he’s not getting anything in return. After all, we have accepted as a constant that the concept of “money” does not exist in this society. And that’s where the most interesting part lies. Firstly, the recipient is not obliged to give up anything: he can choose not to forward the goods if he doesn’t want to or if he needs the goods themselves right now. As I’ve already said, everything happens absolutely voluntarily and based on the principles of mutual freedom: there is no coercion or strict obligations here whatsoever.
On the contrary, for the recipient, it is a matter of honour to help another person by providing him with a service. Because he understands perfectly well that if you give something selflessly to another, you will also receive something in return, sooner or later. And, as a rule, several times more than you gave. It’s one of the laws of the Universe.
In this world, there are no wars, food and drinks are abundant and freely available, there is no concept of work in the sense we understand it today: everyone does what he enjoys most and derives pleasure from the process. It’s quite natural that in such a society, the concept of money doesn’t even exist. Simply because there’s no need for them. People not tied to a financial anchor, who are integrated into this civilization paradigm, feel quite good, freely drifting in the neutral waters of a truth known only to them, without giving much to what the coming day will bring.
But be honest: the aforementioned example is unlikely to be realized in reality. At least in the near future. However, its main advantage, in my opinion, is that this scenario is only possible outside the Matrix. This is obvious and cannot be interpreted any other way. Then the logical question arises: what is the alternative? What other options are there for human existence outside the zone of the harmful influence of money and the illusions of the capitalist world? And not just existence, but a full life in every sense of this word.
No possibility to refuse from money today
Returning from the heavens to earth, we note that any grounded and most realistic scenarios involve going in circles, because, frankly, money is irreplaceable today. Would you say that’s an unexpected turn? I am forced to admit that the normal functioning (and even the simple, elementary existence) of the human race without a core tool like money is impossible here and now, in the 21st century. Money are as old as the world, it is ubiquitous and all-encompassing, like the Matrix itself.
If we start cutting to the quick now and try to change the entire financial system and balance of power in the world at once, at the very least, we won’t succeed, and at the very most, we’ll be “eaten alive” by the same sharks of the financial world who sit on moneybags and drive them, heading various international financial corporations. They certainly won’t allow their entire life’s purpose (which consists of hard currency, liquid and non-liquid assets, etc., etc.) to suddenly collapse overnight, leaving the “kings” on the street, completely naked and penniless.
Today’s world is a huge financial pyramid that’s not so easy to “break down into atoms.” But if we try to uproot this “tree” completely, we would likely achieve nothing worthwhile: at most, we would “bleed” the Matrix’s organism without fully preparing the “patient,” meaning without prior “anesthesia.” And as we know from medicine, this is fraught with consequences. And what kind! The complete destruction (the term “irreversible transformation” would be more appropriate here, in my opinion – author) of the planet’s financial sector will inevitably lead to the destruction or temporary “freezing” of other vital areas of our lives.
Because everything today depends on money: from the social sphere and the military-industrial complex to big business. From various commercial enterprises, medical, cultural, sports, and other institutions, to power plants and nuclear power plants. From transportation to wired and wireless communication methods (including the transatlantic communications cables between the two financial “monsters” of the US and the UK, thru which terabytes of information are transmitted every second), the Internet, etc., etc.
International financial and political guaranties, partnership agreements, various loans, debt obligations, and similar international relations between different countries of the world are also not based on a mere promise, but on the still strong (though not as all-powerful as a decade ago) American dollar.
Air is still free for now, but it seems that won’t last long either. That is, absolutely everything we can imagine, directly related to human civilization in general and our needs in particular, will be affected and drawn into an irreversible process, the final phase of which is barely discernible. Inspired by this, the “domino effect” will trigger a large-scale collapse, the consequences of which could be comparable only to those of a nuclear explosion. And by orders of magnitude more powerful than what the Americans did in Japan in the mid-40s. Did you imagine the picture? Yeah, there’s not much fun in that.
It turns out that to realize the scenario of a global Armageddon, it’s not at all necessary for an asteroid the size of Iceland to fly to Earth from deep space, or for some crazy dictator to press the “nuclear button,” turning the third planet from the Sun into black and red, slowly cooling ash. It only takes a couple of weeks to leave the planet without money. And see what happens.
– The natural question in such a situation rises above the horizon of our thoughts, illuminating the moment with its dazzling brilliance and relevance. Oh, so what should we do then? The first option (utopian) is clearly not suitable for us, for many reasons. If for no other reason, because the critical mass of humanity hasn’t yet reached such heights and is unlikely to do so in the foreseeable “distant future.” The second option (“cutting live”) is also unsuitable, for obvious reasons. It’s even more foolish and pointless to leave everything as it currently exists. Furthermore, in this case, humility is like madness, which, whether we like it or not, will inevitably lead to collapse in the long run. But that will only happen if we leave everything as it is and stop resisting.
– The only option, in my opinion, is to consistently continue moving against the current (i.e., against the System) without making any sudden movements, to change ourselves and our attitude towards the various situations the Matrix and countless life circumstances present us with, to be strong, and despite everything, to believe in the ultimate success of our endeavor.
More precisely, the final motto of our joint, large-scale, and ultra-ambitious event could be: defeat the System and, by radically changing the “rules of the game,” first qualitatively improve the lives of individuals (a relatively small group), and then of all humanity as a whole. That’s it, no more, no less.
– There is no plan or clear course of action here, and there can’t be. Each “awakened” or “partially awakened” individual decides for himself on which platform or in which TIR (TIR – “theater” for improving reality – author) he will be most useful, both for himself and for the future united resistance against the System (let’s provisionally call it the “Anti-Matrix” legion). And everything else will be decided as we go, in the process, so to speak, of the struggle. And the sooner we start it, or at least take some action to change the existing state of affairs, the better.
– I am deeply convinced that launching large-scale changes and a total overhaul of the existing system should start with a person realizing the fact that he is in the Matrix. That’s the first thing. Then, once he gets a little used to the idea and comes out of “sleep” mode, we can move on to the next phase of the operation: information dissemination, finding allies, etc.
All of this must be accompanied by a constant and unceasing struggle against the System on all fronts: starting with education, culture, medicine, the military, and the media, and ending with politics and issues of global governance.
In that case, it seems to me, the issue of money (its presence in our daily lives) will naturally disappear on its own, like an unnecessary vestige and a “monument” to a bygone past. Banknotes, coins, money, both real and virtual, bills of exchange, checks, stocks, bonds, credit cards – all of this will turn to dust, disappear into oblivion.
Matrix creates the illusion that it’s perfectly normal for a person to earn as much money as possible, and it seems perfectly acceptable. According to System’s cunning plan, only by having a certain income level can one be successful; only in this way can one realize oneself in life, acquire a certain status (mostly ephemeral), become a symbol of well-being, and an example for others.
Simultaneously, the System cultivates questionable values that only a wealthy person can afford: power, available women, useless luxury items, prestigious ocean-front resorts, gambling, and entertainment for those who want to “catch luck by the tail,” exposing their base instincts, etc. Throughout the physical incarnation, the “victim” (living according to this algorithm) is essentially drained of all their energy and life force, which could have been saved and put toward good, constructive purposes. After several decades of such a life, she turns into a “mummy,” after which she retires. The job is done, now we can rest and make room for other slaves. The used “battery” is removed from the mechanism, and a new one immediately takes its place.
– The irrational distribution of resources (primarily financial) leads to a large portion of capital accumulating in the hands of a small group of “elites,” while a certain, and usually very small, amount of “oxygen” is left for the middle class, which drives the market economy and creates jobs. The remaining, overwhelming majority of the population is forced to fit into this wild system of chasing money, spending their energy, health, and the best years of their lives just to (think about it!) earn a living within the very System that periodically, reluctantly, throws them small crumbs “from the master’s table”.
* For most people, money is more like a religion. They believe in them so fiercely, so selflessly, as perhaps Christians don’t believe in Jesus, or Buddhists in Prince Gautama.
It is this belief that breathes life into money, gives it meaning and weight, transforming an ordinary “empty shell” into an instrument of incredible power, capable of solving problems of any level of complexity in our imperfect world and destroying anyone who stands in its way.
American dollar
– Interestingly, in addition to the “religious” component of money as a phenomenon (which we touched upon briefly above), there is undoubtedly a psychological factor in their impact on a person. A prime example of this is the dollar itself. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has become “green.” Literally.
This wasn’t so much because green dyes were cheap at the time, but rather because they were more resistant to external influences than others and (attention!) psychologically evoked a feeling of optimism and trust in money. In recent years, however, dollar banknotes have acquired several additional colours and have become even “brighter”: shades of yellow, pink, and blue from the spectrum have appeared on them.
– You and I (ordinary people) have become victims of an experiment that has been going on for over a thousand years and has become particularly active in the last 200-250 years. The money virus that was injected into us by the System has proven to be incredibly resilient, and at first glance, it seems impossible to defeat. It would seem that here is the winning option – the “jackpot” for the System, and now it can do whatever it wants with its “expendable biological material” (especially considering human greed and other vices), without significant consequences for the System itself. Furthermore, considering the long and successful history of money’s influence on mass consciousness, there are virtually no limitations or time constraints for the Matrix here. Impressive acceleration, isn’t it?
Yes and no. For all its sophistication, the System still failed to take into account the main thing: a human being is not a robot or a machine. Human was originally a being of divine order whose intellectual and spiritual potential and “hidden genius” have not yet been fully studied.
– To a modern abstract thinker, money might appear as some kind of strange vehicle or energy elevator, delivering “fuel” to different levels (floors) of the Matrix reality and ensuring the uninterrupted power supply of the System wherever its deadly “tentacles” could reach. This is precisely the form of energy, that most important element or “cog,” without which the System cannot exist in the way it does today. Money is probably the most successful invention of the devilish machine to date – its centuries-old nurtured offspring, of which the Matrix can justifiably be proud, and with the help of which it easily manipulates people’s minds and souls.
– The trajectory of this “elevator,” moving at an enormous speed, is chaotic (meaning it cannot be calculated) and ordered simultaneously. In other words, it already has a built-in algorithm of actions. Our task, the task of “awakened” and concerned people, is to decipher this algorithm and then “de-energize” this elevator or at least make it slow down, stopping at a single point.
The Book of Your Life
“Stepping outside the System is not an open, destructive war. It is the creation of an underground, far-reaching network of free people united by a single noble goal.”