Speaking of the effects of philosophy , I don’t suppose it’s possible not to note The Onion today:
The U.S. economy ceased to function this week after unexpected existential remarks by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke . . . .Though raising interest rates is unlikely at the moment, the Fed will of course act appropriately if we . . . if we . . . said Bernanke, who then paused for a moment, looked down at his prepared statement, and shook his head in utter disbelief. You know what? It doesnt matter. None of thisthis so-called moneyreally matters at all.
Its just an illusion, a wide-eyed Bernanke added as he removed bills from his wallet and slowly spread them out before him. Just look at it: Meaningless pieces of paper with numbers printed on them. Worthless. . . . .
Sources at the White House said President Obama was still trying to get his head around all this and was in seclusion with his coin collection, muttering its just metal, its just metal over and over again.