Hello everyone! It's too still too quiet for sax practice so in killing time I got AI to answer what's arguably the most important question anyone could ever ask, anywhere.
Is weed worth more than a human soul?
I was kind of surprised, and certainly amused to see how it all breaks down and I think you will be, too. Enjoy!
Comparing cannabis and human souls as economic instruments is a fascinating exercise in weighing tangible, perishable commodities against metaphysical, "infinite" assets. Historically, cannabis (as hemp) actually served as legal tender in colonial America, whereas souls remain largely a fixture of speculative fiction and mythology.
Here is how they stack up as mechanisms for trade and wealth preservation:
Comparison of Economic Functions
| Feature | Cannabis (The Tangible Commodity) | Human Souls (The Metaphysical Asset) |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Poor. Plant matter degrades over time. It requires climate control (59°F–77°F) to prevent mold or loss of potency. | Excellent. Traditionally viewed as eternal or indestructible. In lore, souls do not "rot" in a vault. |
| Fungibility | Low to Moderate. Quality varies wildly by strain, THC/CBD content, and cure. One gram of "top-shelf" is not equal to one gram of "shake." | Variable. Some systems treat all souls as equal; others (like Dark Souls) value them based on the "power" or "greatness" of the original owner. |
| Divisibility | High. Easily broken down into grams, milligrams, or even extracts for small transactions. | Low. Most philosophical frameworks treat the soul as indivisible. You generally cannot trade "10% of a soul" for a coffee. |
| Portability | Moderate. Bulky in raw form, but high-value in concentrated oils. However, it faces "Interstate Commerce" legal barriers. | Excellent. Usually weightless and non-physical. Transfer often requires only a verbal contract or a mystical vessel. |
Using Cannabis as a Store of Value
The Benefits:
- Intrinsic Utility: Unlike fiat currency, cannabis has "use-value." If the economy collapses, your "money" can still be consumed for medicinal or recreational purposes.
- Historical Precedent: In 1619, the Virginia Assembly mandated hemp cultivation, and it was accepted as legal tender to pay taxes in several colonies because of its vital importance to the shipping industry (ropes and sails).
The Shortcomings: - Hyper-Inflation Potential: Because it is a crop, a bumper harvest can lead to a sudden supply shock, devaluing the "currency" in your pocket.
- Regulatory Friction: As a controlled substance, its "velocity of money" (how fast it moves through the economy) is choked by legal restrictions and the inability to use traditional banking.
Using Human Souls as a Mechanism of Commerce
The Benefits:
- Absolute Scarcity: There is a finite (though growing) supply of human souls linked to population. You cannot "print" more souls without significant biological lead time.
- Inelastic Demand: In mythologies where souls are used (e.g., deals with the devil), the buyer often has a "monopsony" (one buyer) or the seller has "absolute need," leading to high-value, high-stakes trades.
The Shortcomings: - The "Unit of Account" Problem: How do you price a loaf of bread in "soul units"? Without a way to divide a soul, it is only useful for massive, life-altering acquisitions (e.g., fame, power, or immortality).
- Verification Issues: It is notoriously difficult to prove "proof-of-work" or "proof-of-stake" for a soul. Counterfeiting (trading a "soulless" vessel) would likely be a systemic risk in this economy.
The Verdict
If you are looking for liquidity and daily commerce, cannabis is the superior choice; it’s divisible, has a proven history as tender, and offers immediate utility. However, for long-term wealth preservation (centuries or more), the soul is the more stable "hard asset"—assuming you can find a market participant willing to hold the contract.
Given the complexities of soul-trading, do you think a decentralized ledger like the ones used in blockchain could actually solve the "verification" problem for metaphysical assets?
As always thoughts and opinions are welcome. 😁