Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

qz.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–59 of 59 posts

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#51

Post by anonbanker »

mschuster91 wrote: post #30
Osiris wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some states do have laws that explicitly allow and/or regular marijuana for medicinal or recreational use. For example, I live in Colorado where a constitutional amendment was passed that required law makers to pass laws to setup regulations for the production, wholesale, and retail sale of the drug. The part about the federal law is still true but as far as I know, law enforcement in Colorado is not required nor can…

> The part about the federal law is still true but as far as I know, law enforcement in Colorado is not required nor can be forced to enforce federal law. But the FBI can very well decide to prosecute federal crimes in states, even if the "crime" is legal under state law.

And you can settle the charges civilly (allowable under United States Code), plead guilty, and get a discharge (no criminal record or time served).

We have a Pay-To-Play legal system. Vince Neil of Motley Crue killed a guy with his car, paid a fine, pled guilty, and served two days of jail total. He's just one example.

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#52

Post by anonbanker »

PhasmaFelis wrote: post #13
Symbiote wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“People are doing business without any fear of losing cash to militants or conmen,” Aden said. “The country’s telecommunications sector has undergone a rapid rise, fueled by intense competition amongst the numerous telecommunication firms that dominate the country.” Cash is freedom to be robbed, so I don't think that will convince anyone in Somalia. I checked my bank statement this morning. I withdrew DKK 300 ($45) o…

Indeed. The problem with some hardcore libertarians, among others, is that they want "freedom" to be #1 on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and become confused or angry when others disagree. If you want people to want freedom--and you should!--you need to start by guaranteeing their basic physical safety and survival. "Live Free or Die" makes for a catchy bumper sticker, but if what you offer is the "freedom" to watch yo…

Truth be told, "Freedom", as defined as: n. The condition of being free of restraints. n. Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.

Would fit squarely under level 2 "Safety" needs in Maslow's hierarchy. Therefore "Live Free or Die" would essentially translate as "Level 2 Needs fulfilled, or Deny me my Level 1 needs".

Basically, hardcore libertarians feel that nothing should keep them from fulfilling their physiological needs, and the only thing that might would be government force. if Government force is stopping your family from eating (See: bread lines in Russia during CCCP), You're already unable to meet your safety needs, which will naturally lead to revolt/rebellion.

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#53

Post by Symbiote »

Pamar wrote: post #49
plesner wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No question, we're quickly moving away from physical Kroner. There's also political and especially business pressure to get rid of them. However, it's not true that they're obsolete or somehow similar to new yen. I think it's a point worth emphasizing because going cashless is a huge decision, especially the way we're moving towards in Denmark. There's a discussion to be had around it and if we just accept that it's…

I have a question. Suppose I visit Denmark again, and I decide to hire a prostitute. Am I expected to pay by credit card, debit or contactless?

Presumably, that works the same way as the people buying cannabis in Christiania — I briefly lived close to Christiania. The cash machines next to the metro station are the only ones where I've ever seen a queue, sometimes 4-5 people waiting at each one!

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#54

Post by Pamar »

Symbiote wrote: post #53
Pamar wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a question. Suppose I visit Denmark again, and I decide to hire a prostitute. Am I expected to pay by credit card, debit or contactless?

Presumably, that works the same way as the people buying cannabis in Christiania — I briefly lived close to Christiania. The cash machines next to the metro station are the only ones where I've ever seen a queue, sometimes 4-5 people waiting at each one!

Forcing everyone to use e-money only has a few drawbacks. There will always be things that you don't want to be associated with - even if prostitution is legal in your country, if you are married you would prefer this transaction to be untraceable, I suppose. Another possible drawback is that once money is only available through "controlled" sources, you could find yourself subject to redlining (see: http://www.engadget.com/2015/12/02/paypal-square-and-big-ban...).

So while I find e-money convenient and practical, I do not think that society would be "better" if physical money went away.

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#55

Post by eru »

anonbanker wrote: post #51
mschuster91 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The part about the federal law is still true but as far as I know, law enforcement in Colorado is not required nor can be forced to enforce federal law. But the FBI can very well decide to prosecute federal crimes in states, even if the "crime" is legal under state law.

And you can settle the charges civilly (allowable under United States Code), plead guilty, and get a discharge (no criminal record or time served). We have a Pay-To-Play legal system. Vince Neil of Motley Crue killed a guy with his car, paid a fine, pled guilty, and served two days of jail total. He's just one example.

Is killing someone with your car even a crime?

(https://www.vice.com/read/you-can-kill-anyone-you-want-with-... and http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/opinion/sunday/is-it-ok-to...)

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#56

Post by eru »

mschuster91 wrote: post #39
jsprogrammer wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And a jury can decide that no crime was committed.

For this there needs to be a jury trial, which is unlikely to happen if police / DA pushes for a plea bargain...

Can't you always refuse the plea bargain?

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#57

Post by eru »

lisivka wrote: post #45
frik wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> Cash is freedom. No one spies on what you do with your cash money. > You need to physically visit the other party, so it isn't black and white necessarily the best option. Some parties, want to limit cash or downright forbid cash. Then there is no option anymore, think about that. I am all for options and fine with electronic money for web transaction, but removing cash from our society would be a very very bad mo…

Gold is the only real cash. Banknotes are locked us into banks and states. No freedom. Not good.

What about copper or silver?

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#58

Post by eru »

genedickson wrote: post #43

The U.S. has been a cashless society for generations. Few people even know what cash is. They think federal reserve notes are cash. They are not. Alaska has cash in circulation and you can spend it at any business, though the scales are out of sight until you break out the cash. They can make change in cash or federal reserve notes. Federal reserve notes are the middle ground between digital currency and cash. I've n…

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.”

[LEWIS CARROLL (Charles L. Dodgson), Through the Looking-Glass, chapter 6, p. 205 (1934). First published in 1872.]

Re: More phones, few banks, instability are transforming Somalia to cashless society

#59

Post by anonbanker »

eru wrote: post #55
anonbanker wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And you can settle the charges civilly (allowable under United States Code), plead guilty, and get a discharge (no criminal record or time served). We have a Pay-To-Play legal system. Vince Neil of Motley Crue killed a guy with his car, paid a fine, pled guilty, and served two days of jail total. He's just one example.

Is killing someone with your car even a crime? ( https://www.vice.com/read/you-can-kill-anyone-you-want-with-... and http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/opinion/sunday/is-it-ok-to... )

Vehicular Manslaughter is a crime in many jurisdictions.

However, it's easily dischargeable. This is conjecture, but I wouldn't be surprised if many of those cases were settled privately.

Post reply on HN