Keen On America

How Capitalism Turned Money into God: Paul Vigna on Buying the Almighty

Jul 22, 2025
Paul Vigna, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and author of 'The Almightier', uncovers the intriguing connection between money and religion, arguing that capitalism has turned currency into a modern deity. He traces money's origins back to Mesopotamian temples, emphasizing that it’s not 'real' but a system of collective trust. Vigna critiques our current obsession with wealth, advocating for a societal shift towards prioritizing human welfare, and explores the fervor surrounding cryptocurrencies as a new form of belief.
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INSIGHT

Money and Writing's Shared Origin

  • Money and writing emerged together about 5,500 years ago in early Mesopotamian civilizations.
  • Money began as a tool developed by temple scribes to track possessions, fueling the rise of complex societies.
INSIGHT

Money Is Trust, Not Substance

  • Money is not a physical thing but a collective trust-based system.
  • Economic trust crises cause hyperinflation spirals as faith in money collapses.
INSIGHT

Money as a Modern Deity

  • Money has literally become a modern deity replacing traditional gods.
  • The pursuit of money governs society similar to a religion's role in earlier times.
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