When we exchange what we need, we use money as a medium instead of trading ‘goods for goods.’ In this context, money acts as a means of exchange. When we exchange what we need, we also build wealth by passing on added value to each other. In other words, money functions as both a medium of exchange and a measure of value, as well as a tool for accumulating wealth. But isn’t this a bit strange? Although exchange value comes from goods and surplus is generated from this exchange value, the object used to measure and accumulate wealth is money, not goods. This is because money alone has the privilege called ‘compulsory circulation power.’ In other words, even if value is created, added value cannot be realized unless it’s exchanged. The ability to enable such exchanges is what we call ‘compulsory circulation power.’ - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
In the 2009 Korean film ‘Castaway on the Moon,’ a character states, “Desire makes humans smarter.” This reflects the protagonist’s ingenuity in creating useful tools from discarded items to survive on a deserted island. While knowledge enhances human understanding, it is desire that turns that knowledge into practical applications. Maslow was among the first to focus on this concept of desire in social science research. Understanding and addressing desires essentially means understanding humanity. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”