Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you need money for?

11 replies

Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:09

Recently watched the new Elon interview with The economist.

‘What do you need money for? Elon asked?

’No seriously - if all goods and services are basically free (because of AI) - what do you need money for?

Any ideas people?

Do we want to help Elon out with what people need money for that AI can’t produce for free?

OP posts:
Original poster
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:11

I am going to start with housing

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 23/08/2026 11:11

How can all goods be free because of AI?

Original poster
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:12

MidnightPatrol · 23/08/2026 11:11

How can all goods be free because of AI?

Well exactly. But the world’s smartest man is having a little trouble remembering what the povos use their money for. So I thought we should start a thread.

OP posts:
OhamIreally · 23/08/2026 11:13

Same back to you Elon with knobs on. Giving yours all away are you?

BarbarianBabs · 23/08/2026 11:13

If he doesn’t think money is required when will he be off loading his wealth? 🧐

Original poster
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:14

BarbarianBabs · 23/08/2026 11:13

If he doesn’t think money is required when will he be off loading his wealth? 🧐

Well he’s spending his on moon travel so…

OP posts:
BarbarianBabs · 23/08/2026 11:14

OhamIreally · 23/08/2026 11:13

Same back to you Elon with knobs on. Giving yours all away are you?

Ha! Great minds 😉

Original poster
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:28

Anyone remembered food yet?

Or are Twitter cookies going to be fine

OP posts:
ExpectMore · 23/08/2026 11:33

Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:28

Anyone remembered food yet?

Or are Twitter cookies going to be fine

You’re are missing his point entirely…. Food is a good. So thus in his scenario it’s free….

also remember: money hasn’t always been around. It’s a social construct. We created it. There was a time before money…

…it’s self evident that there could be scenarios when money isn’t needed

Original poster
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:36

Ahh I see, we will return to bartering and trading microgreens one has grown on their windowsill from foraged watercress. Who’s paying for this windowsill? Or water? Are the pipes free?

OP posts:
Original poster
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:37

We can print the pipes! Who’s getting the copper or drilling the oil?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page