Changing faces of currency?

A rumor?

Or, fact?

Is our government really looking at changing the faces on our paper currency?  Or, adding additional coins like the Susan B. Anthony dollars?

Why?

Could you imagine...

Or would it be Reagan? Ted Kennedy? Obama?  And, not Osama. 

We could take it back to the days of livestock, particularly cattle, and plant products such as grain, when they were used as money in many different societies at different periods. Cattle are probably the oldest of all forms of money, as domestication of animals tended to precede the cultivation of crops, and were still used for that purpose in parts of Africa in the middle of the 20th century.

Going back to:

405 BC	Aristophanes' comedy The Frogs is produced
In the play Aristophanes refers to how the new, inferior coins have displaced the old superior ones from circulation - probably the world's first statement of Gresham's law, that bad money drives out good.

390 BC	The Gauls attack Rome
The cackling of geese in the capitol, where the city's reserves of money are kept, alerts the defenders. The grateful Romans build a shrine to Moneta, the goddess of warning, and from Moneta the words money and mint are derived.

313 Christianity becomes the official faith of the Roman Empire Constantine adopts Christianity and following his conversion, he confiscates the enormous treasures amassed over the centuries in the pagan temples throughout the empire. Consequently, unlike Diocletian, he has easily enough bullion to replace the earlier debased gold coinage. However he continues to produce debased silver and copper coins. Thus the poor, unlike the rich, are left with an inflation-ridden currency.
c. 435	Coins cease to be used in Britain as a medium of exchange
As a result of the Anglo-Saxon invasions Britain, uniquely among the former Roman provinces, ceases to use coins as money for nearly 200 years. When they are re-introduced from the Continent they are used initially for ornament.

																																												So, what does this all mean? You tell me.  With the advent of the iPhone, auto payments, etc. Money transfer will be the No. 1 consumer application in year 2012, according to Nov. 18 report from consultant Gartner. The app is expected to have more revenue potential than mobile search and browsing, mobile health monitoring and mobile music. In fact, mobile transfers are expected to be an even bigger business than various types of mobile payments, such as using cell phones to pay for produce at grocery stores or for your favorite experiences.  The bigger question, do we still need money?

Footloose and Fancy Free

It's the clash of the generations.  

Last weekend, I entertained a few friends.  It was a nice and relaxing Sunday afternoon. From 55 year olds to 29 year olds.  The weather was hot (finally).  The BBQ was working overtime with a secret recipe for chicken (not tofu) and the laughs could be heard blocks away.  Cigars.  Mojitos. Organic carrots. Purified water.

The best things about my friends are they are an eclectic bunch.  Some are democrats, some republicans, some have children, others don't but above all we love music.  It was a bit frightening however when some grabbed their iPhones and iPods and we began a war of the songs.  I proceeded to the record player and reached for some vinyl.  

My friend who will remain nameless (Tamitha), had no idea what/who Footloose was.  What?  "You don't know what Footloose is?"

I believe the look of horror took her by surprise.  "Play me a song or two and I might recognize it."  "Doubtful," I said, "it's a movie from the early 80s but the soundtrack, very nice.

You see, the movie came out in 1984 and she was born in 1981. But really, it's pop culture trivia, people.

A few more:

Def Leppard - "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (one of the most popular Karoke songs ever) sung by most Gen Y's.

Dexys Midnight Runners - “Come on Eileen”

Flock of Seagulls - “I Ran (So Far Away)”

A-Ha - “Take On Me”

Tommy Tutone - “867-5309 - Jenny/Jenny"  (Truax, it's not my new phone number)

Soft Cell - Tainted Love”

Toni Basil - “Mickey” (And, my personal favorite Karoke song)

Modern English - “I Melt With You”

Bow Wow Wow - “I Want Candy”

Kajagoogoo - “Too Shy”

Frankie Goes to Hollywood -  “Relax” (And, who my cat is named after)

Gary Numan - “Cars”

Animotion - “Obsesssion”

And, last but definitely not least, Thomas Dolby - “She Blinded Me With Science”

What I enjoy the most,  is bringing people together who wouldn't normally come together.  One thing is clear, I am the common denominator and I truly appreciate all of you.  So, on this fourth of July weekend, please know whether you are here with me or far away, I am thinking about you and just for old times sake, listen to, Bruce Springsteen's, Born in the USA.  Or, for my international friends, take a listen to Bruce's, Glory Days. 

Please tell me you know who Bruce Springsteen is!

Be safe.

Peace out, yo.