Book description
A Comprehensive Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of MoneyBroken Money explores the history of money through the lens of technology. Politics can affect things temporarily and locally, but technology is what drives things forward globally and permanently. The book's goal is for the reader to walk away with a deep understanding of money and monetary history, both in terms of theoretical foundations and in terms of practical implications.From shells to gold, from papyrus bills of exchange to central banks, and from the invention of the telegraph to the creation of Bitcoin, Lyn Alden walks the reader through the emergence of new technologies that have shaped what we use as money over the ages. And beyond that, Alden explores the concept of what money is at its very foundation to give the reader a framework to analyze and compare different types of monetary technologies and monetary theories.The book also takes a distinctively human look at how money impacts the lives of real people, and how new monetary technologies shape the power structures within society.In the modern era, energy abundance and technological enhancements have broadly improved human well-being, but the global monetary system has been slow to keep up. There are over 160 active currencies in the world, each with a local monopoly over its own country, and with little or no acceptance elsewhere. Many of them are rapidly diluted, which continually devalues the savings and the wages of the billions of people who live and work within those jurisdictions. Being born in the "wrong" country makes saving money far harder than it needs to be.Nigeria has a population of over 200 million people and has averaged 13% annualized inflation over the past decade. Egypt cut its currency in half relative to the dollar twice over the past decade, which instantly devalued the savings and wages of its 100 million citizens. Dozens of countries have experienced at least triple-digit year-over-year inflation within the past four decades, including Brazil that outright hyperinflated in the 1990s while it was the fifth most populous country in the world.Europe and Japan had $18 trillion worth of negative-yielding bonds in 2019, right before a wave of inflation wiped their purchasing power away. In 2021, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve dismissed the idea that the sharp rise in the money supply from the pandemic stimulus would lead to price inflation. By 2022, as major inflation emerged, the chairman rapidly changed his outlook and tightened monetary policy so quickly that it led to the failure of some of the largest banks in the country.How did we get to this point? Why isn't our money better than this in the 21st century? Broken Money answers these questions by examining the current mix of technology that has led to these limitations, and then explores emerging technologies that may be able to provide us with a monetary system that is fit for the modern era.
PepperBurst
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ELLerG!c
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks.
Lightweight
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Audiobook excellence made simple โ this app's functionality is a true asset. Good for background listening. I didnโt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorโs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Zod
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Metal Lady
ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Old Regret
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience.
Serendipity
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McDreamy
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Red Hot Kevorkian
โญ๏ธ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ๐๐ ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Nutmeg Riot
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ๐ก Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder โ thank you, this app! ๐ฑ๐ Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
King Panther
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! Audiobook immersion simplified โ this app's ease of use is a true asset. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ๐๐ง ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
VisionVoyager
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Audiobooks made convenient โ this app's functionality is a true gift.
Rusty Vortex
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Die Slice
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level โ it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Chew Chew
๐ This app is a testament to thoughtful design โ its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. ๐โจ An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itโthe narration was fine, and the story was okayโbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Highlander Monk
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. ๐ถ๐ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling โ audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. ๐ง๐ Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Grinch Cheese
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DreamWeaver
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Homerun Diva
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Pexxious
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. ๐๐ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration โ this app keeps me engaged on the road! ๐๐ง Audiobook pleasure without the fuss โ this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience