@barkmeta The downside is storage cost, inflation, and transaction friction. Man don’t people study any real forms of economics?

===Hey economics students and those trying to understand economics gather here! === Give whatever you can — Economics behind begging For those trying to understand economics and for economics students, this is a perfect example of price uncertainty, information asymmetry, price discrimination, elasticity, and maximizing profit.ity, and maximizing profit. When a beggar says “Give whatever you can”, this is not just a casual phrase. It carries strong economic meaning: Price uncertainty There is no fixed price. The donor decides how much to give, creating uncertainty similar to markets without transparent pricing. Information asymmetry The beggar does not know the donor’s willingness to pay (or willingness to donate). By leaving the choice open, they gather information about the donor’s ability and readiness to contribute. Price discrimination Every donor gives a different amount. Some donate coins, others larger bills. The beggar adapts to each donor, just like a seller adjusting prices for different customers. Elasticity and maximizing income This is essentially a test of price elasticity of demand: If the donor is inelastic (“I must give, even if it’s more”), the amount will be higher. If the donor is elastic (“If it feels costly, I won’t give”), the amount will be lower. By leaving the donation open, the beggar maximizes expected income. Each donor reveals their own “reservation price.” Economic Meaning A donation can also be seen as a good: in return for money, the donor receives a sense of happiness, relief, or moral satisfaction. Just like in a market transaction, the beggar captures as much of this consumer surplus as possible.