From “Hawkins’ Eye On The Market”, by Genevieve Hawkins

Once upon a time, money was not thought of in terms of the dollar increments that are used now. Instead it had humble origins as a bargaining tool, first as labor was exchanged for labor, then as labor became exchanged with an object of a set value. Onwards money moved to its present migration as an object of exchange which has no underlying set value, which may be exchanged for other objects of exchange that also have no underlying set value.

One of the greatest things about a recession is it reminds many people that money is only money, and money is, in its current incarnation, a complete and total illusion. Despite the recent optimism on the stock market, the numbers of unemployed has steadily climbed, and average private sector hours worked weekly has declined to 33.2. Neither of these figures is likely to rebound in the near future. With more people working less or unemployed, they may be able to spend time with friends and family, and doing things that provide them with greater fulfillment than that which had been gained through their exchange of labor.

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