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Comment by ryuhhnn | Hacker News Reader

Why is paying into a social safety net considered “free money” but usury is not? Why is it that when rich people as for money it’s a “loan” but when poor people ask for money it’s a “handout”. Free money is never free, money isn’t even real. You live in a society and if you want people to be there for you when you are down, you have a duty to return the favour.

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>> money isn’t even real

This is true, in the Philip K. Dick conception of reality ("Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away"), so maybe something we all shouldn't get worked up about?

If we stop believing in our duty to return the favor, what happens? Or if we stop believing that there is such a thing as society? If we stop believing in usury, does it exist?

why are you assuming I’m “worked up”? I was simply asking some questions and just because I disagree with the original commenter’s characterisation doesn’t mean I’m necessarily upset. In fact, quite the opposite, I’m curious why so many people blindly accept things as “real” when they are only “real” insofar as we make it so.

>> I’m curious why so many people blindly accept things as “real” when they are only “real” insofar as we make it so

Well like you said, money isn't real. Sure is convenient though.

I agree about having a duty to each other, I guess I'd describe giving money to the poor as an investment to benefit all of us (and clearly the amount paid into the social safety net can be bigger for the rich, who can spare it). But that is a more nebulous payback than loaning money to the rich, who can and will pay it back directly?

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