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How Money Changed Human History
We trust it more than we trust each other
Money is a powerful driving force. It motivates us and informs our decisions every single day. This phenomenon is consistent across the world. Wherever you look, the citizens of the twenty-first century are obsessed with money.
Though it’s hard to imagine, there was a time in our history when money didn’t even exist. Trade relied on bartering, a system that was far from ideal. But money revolutionized society, and before long, it became the greatest form of mutual trust the world had ever seen.
A Flawed System
Before 10,000 BC, humans had no money. Families survived by hunting, fishing, and manufacturing what they needed. Meat, berries, nuts, clothing, medicine — the acquisition of these materials was driven by the need to survive.
This changed as humans started to live in larger communities. Densely populated areas were ripe for skilled professionals, such as shoemakers, doctors, carpenters, and fishermen.
Theoretically, any object could be traded if both parties agreed to the deal. Animal skin could be traded for…
