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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:11

I am going to start with housing

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MidnightPatrol · 23/08/2026 11:11

How can all goods be free because of AI?

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.

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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? 🧐

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…

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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 😉

Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:28

Anyone remembered food yet?

Or are Twitter cookies going to be fine

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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

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:
Forelon · 23/08/2026 11:37

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

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