[gaffer91]

Reading a few articles a few months ago here and here about moving towards a cashless society.

The main pro I supposes would be a drastic reduction on crime and corruption, from muggings to bribery.

The cons, as I see them would be that in the event of a real or perceived imminent banking or equity collapse people often withdraw savings and store them in cash-this option would be no longer available. I also see cash as a form of independence and privacy- I would rather that the bank and/or government did not have the power to see every transaction I make.

There is also the problem that we still have laws where victimless crimes, specifically the drug trade, are prohibited. Cash allows the average punter to vote with his wallet if he or she so chooses.

Smaller things would be ease for tipping, giving kids money for birthdays, selling goods to friends and so on. I'm sure there are others that I cannot think of. While minor points they should be taken on board nonetheless.

In short, I think that cash is freedom, and we should never let our government or banks try to take it away from us. What do you think?

[SupaNova]

I would be skeptical of the claim that a cashless society would lead to dramatically lower crime and corruption.

There was a thread on this recently:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2056477782

[Duggys Housemate]

Good point on the traceability of cash. That said most things I buy are cashless.

However cash will never go away. For tipping, small purchases, and for where you want to be untraceable.

[gaffer91]

Originally Posted by SupaNova

I would be skeptical of the claim that a cashless society would lead to dramatically lower crime and corruption.

There was a thread on this recently:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2056477782

Did a search but didn't find one, sorry.

As for crime, realistically there is only so much guns you can buy with guns or diamonds.

Another point just occurred to me- self control. People with cash tend to spend less. On a personal level for Irish people, carrying only a certain amount of cash on a night out will prevent you from blowing God knows how much when you're drunk. Another thing would be giving money to homeless people or on street charity collections. Again, minor points but worth taking on board.

[RoverZT]

Banks here don't seem to want it anymore it seems.

Only Ulster Bank offer free banking here now, Aib, Boi and the likes are charging per transaction if you don't have a certain amount in your account now.

That effectively kills a cashless economy.

No one likes being robbed.

I loved using laser, but now they are charging me, they can **** off.

[Kinski]

Ireland's heading for a cashless society, anyhow. In that we soon won't have any...

[usernamegoes]

An interesting electronic currency which solves some of the problems you mention is bitcoin. http://www.weusecoins.com/

It does not require a third party to administer it so can't collapse. It's psedu-anonymous and is therefore used already for online drugs sales. It has a set number of coins which can't be increased by governments.

[eth0]

Originally Posted by usernamegoes

An interesting electronic currency which solves some of the problems you mention is bitcoin. http://www.weusecoins.com/

It does not require a third party to administer it so can't collapse. It's psedu-anonymous and is therefore used already for online drugs sales. It has a set number of coins which can't be increased by governments.

bitcoin is an interesting concept but there's a few problems with it. not really as secure and anonymous as i'd like it to be

I suppose something like this solves most of the big brother elements associated with traditional cashless payments. it just needs to be as convenient as cash is now. i suppose you could send bitcoins over bluetooth

[usernamegoes]

Originally Posted by eth0

bitcoin is an interesting concept but there's a few problems with it. not really as secure and anonymous as i'd like it to be

In terms on anonymity it can be anonymous as you can make it. If you need it to be ultra anonymous you can do it but for most purposes it fairly anonymous.

As for security, there are some issue but mainly just be safe. Don't lose them (like cash, unlike cash though you can back them up), don't let them be stolen etc.

I suppose something like this solves most of the big brother elements associated with traditional cashless payments. it just needs to be as convenient as cash is now. i suppose you could send bitcoins over bluetooth

There are many working on making it as easy to use as cash including RFID from your phone etc. Also if you like cash then there's https://www.casascius.com/

[gurramok]

Widespread skimming of debit and credit cards in this country over the last few years has severely dented people's confidence in a cashless society. Make this part more secure to give consumers confidence to move from cash.

[SupaNova]

Originally Posted by gaffer91

Another point just occurred to me- self control. People with cash tend to spend less. On a personal level for Irish people, carrying only a certain amount of cash on a night out will prevent you from blowing God knows how much when you're drunk. Another thing would be giving money to homeless people or on street charity collections. Again, minor points but worth taking on board.

You can put limits on cards, and you could have a card you use just for nights out, top up that card with the maximum you want to spend on a night out, and just bring that card. Its not much of a con.

[Sindri]

Electronic transactions of money like M-Pesa are where things are going.

[Good loser]

Originally Posted by gaffer91

Reading a few articles a few months ago here and here about moving towards a cashless society.

The main pro I supposes would be a drastic reduction on crime and corruption, from muggings to bribery.

The cons, as I see them would be that in the event of a real or perceived imminent banking or equity collapse people often withdraw savings and store them in cash-this option would be no longer available. I also see cash as a form of independence and privacy- I would rather that the bank and/or government did not have the power to see every transaction I make.

There is also the problem that we still have laws where victimless crimes, specifically the drug trade, are prohibited. Cash allows the average punter to vote with his wallet if he or she so chooses.

Smaller things would be ease for tipping, giving kids money for birthdays, selling goods to friends and so on. I'm sure there are others that I cannot think of. While minor points they should be taken on board nonetheless.

In short, I think that cash is freedom, and we should never let our government or banks try to take it away from us. What do you think?

Money is the lubricant that allows transactions/exchanges to occur.

In the shape of gold and silver etc it has been around since antiquity (the Greeks used an amalgam of the two as well as each on its own).

Instead of the physical handover transfers are now being done more and more electronically. The larger the transaction the less likely it will be in cash as these are more efficient.

Below a certain size or level of income there will usually be a large amount of cash activity. The State will always control the currency to prevent frauds. Interesting question.

[RMD]

I'm quite pro-legalization when it comes to some drugs but to call the drugs trade a victimless crime is nothing short of pure ignorance. Tell the victims of muggings for drugs it's a victimless crime, tell the families destroyed by their junkie child / sibling it's a victimless crime.

Many drugs can be used recreationally and without problem by responsible people, I do so myself. But there is also a handful of drugs that ruin the lives of the user, those around them and the general citizen can become a victim when a habit forms.

[Rant Over]

I'd hate the notion of a cashless society. I like the simplicity of cash, I like having it on me readily available to use. If the phone lines go down that means card transactions are out of the equation. Plus there's nothing more irritating than that arsehole who decides to pay for their 1 / 2 euro item with their lasercard and make us wait through the whole process. Cash on the otherhand, the transaction is done in 20 seconds.

[Cool Story Bro]

Bit of an effort lugging around cows to trade...