Money- The True Story of a Made- Up Thing: Book Review

                                                                                               

                                                                                 Jim's Review

                       Money is amazing book to read from first to last page. The history of money that Jacob Goldstein share will make you laugh for a bit and feel intrigue how money evolved over the years to become this treasure asset with thought was paper and really it's not!

                 The true arc of money and it has changed even in the last few years will keep you interested all the way to the end as new technologies have come to the forefront in the 21st century!

                                                            Highly recommend this book on your reading list for 2021

                                                                         10 out of 10 stars

 

                                                                                About book:

                     The co-host of the popular NPR podcast Planet Money provides a well-researched, entertaining, somewhat irreverent look at how money is a made-up thing that has evolved over time to suit humanity's changing needs.

Money only works because we all agree to believe in it. In Money, Jacob Goldstein shows how money is a useful fiction that has shaped societies for thousands of years, from the rise of coins in ancient Greece to the first stock market in Amsterdam to the emergence of shadow banking in the 21st century.

At the heart of the story are the fringe thinkers and world leaders who reimagined money. Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor, created paper money backed by nothing, centuries before it appeared in the west. John Law, a professional gambler and convicted murderer, brought modern money to France (and destroyed the country's economy). The cypherpunks, a group of radical libertarian computer programmers, paved the way for bitcoin.

One thing they all realized: what counts as money (and what doesn't) is the result of choices we make, and those choices have a profound effect on who gets more stuff and who gets less, who gets to take risks when times are good, and who gets screwed when things go bad.

Lively, accessible, and full of interesting details (like the 43-pound copper coins that 17th-century Swedes carried strapped to their backs), Money is the story of the choices that gave us money as we know it today. learn more and buy book

The new money of the 21st Century has arrived: Crytpocurrency

I recently attended the 4^th Annual Fintech and Funding : Velocity event in Toronto on March 5^th and 6^th.  Speakers had come to share insights, strategies and stories on the new monetary phenomenon that has taken the world by storm in recent months. 

Blockchain – Cryptocurreny  - Alternative Investing

March 5^th Day 1

It was held at the old Toronto Stock Exchange at King and Bay. It has been used since the mid 1980’s, such a great place for the leading experts in the cryptocurrency to share they insights to 500+ attendees.

There were keynotes, panel discussions, lunch & learn and ask the expert sessions throughout the day.

Walking around listening and learn throughout the day my skepticism turned to the reality that this new currency was going to change and alter our monetary currency in the few years.

As I continued to walk through the various session I began to hear stories of bitcoin transaction that were already created in selling homes and new companies have started and were succeeding.

There a few books that I saw during the day that dealt with this new digital currency.

1^st  Blockchain Revolution by Don Tapscott and Alan Tapscott

2^nd Cryptoassets:  The Innovative Investor’s Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond by Chris Burniske and Jack Tatar

I sat and listened to Tony Sabeta from Aird & McBurney LP share a lunch and learn about Unleashing You Blockchain IP Strategy. He shared some basic information how new start-ups were creating money using Blockchain.

As the day continued I met various attendees and exhibitors on various types of cryptocurrency that was available in the cryptocurrency system.

As we headed into the cocktail hour I was continued to meet more exhibitors and speak to some of the attendees and listen to what they learned day-long conference.

They felt more informed and education on cryptocurrency and had the necessary information to continue learning more about it.

March 6^th Day 2

The second day was a short afternoon session that was held at Denton’s one the Gold Partners of the event.

They were four speaking session dealing with a more in-depth education on cryptocurrencies.

Elena Sinelnikova from CryptoChicks shared an amazing powerpoint presentation on Blockchain 101 that the entire audience found very educational and insightful how exactly Bitcoin, Blockchain mechanisms worked

There was also a panel discussion on Regulations, Compliance and Taxes which had representatives from Denton’s Canada LLP & Deloitte Canada answer all sort of questions.

It became very apparent that the regulatory organization in U.S.A and Canada have started to learn, understand and begin to put together regulations to deal with the new cryptocurrencies that are available worldwide

In conclusion I would state the Cryptocurrency has been around since 2012 which has already began to change the way we deal and work with various currencies from credit cards, money and the exchange of business services.

The impact is real and the result is this the following.

Cryptocurrency are the new digital technology of the 21^st Century and have made an impact on how we have done commerce. 

It will continue to evolve and be revolution of money that will begin to dominate and reflect how we value the money we make and the way will spend and invest it moving forward.

                                                 

Book Review: Trust Agents

 Jim Pagiamtzis book review:

      " I read this book very slowly for a very good reason!. Chris Brogan and Julien Smith provide extremely good and useful information to grow your community and tribe and have them appreciate what you do and support your cause!

The strategic ways to leverage your online and offline brand is extremely important in the 21st Century living. We live in very connected world and there are some many ways to share our knowledge. 

  They share insights on to focus that content to great interest and inertia that your tribe will not only learn but will require you as  resource.

  I have been sharing my personal brand of learn, speak and socialize leads to monetize for my business for many years.  This book confirms what I have been doing works!

Loyalty can't be bought yet it can be earned. Trust Agents proves it and highly recommend it to entrepreneurs and businesses to read and adapt to their way to execute the ability to win for the long term."

 About book:

How to tap the power of social software and networks to build your business In Trust Agents, two social media veterans show you how to tap into the power of social networks to build your brand's influence, reputation, and, of course, profits. Today's online influencers are web natives who trade in trust, reputation, and relationships, using social media to accrue the influence that builds up or brings down businesses online.

The book shows how people use online social tools to build networks of influence and how you can use those networks to positively impact your business. Because trust is key to building online reputations, those who traffic in it are "trust agents," the key people your business needs on its side.


Delivers actionable steps and case studies that show how social media can positively impact your business Written by authors with over ten years of online media experience Shows you how to build and wield influence online to benefit your brand Combines high-level theory with practical step-by-step guidance If you want your business to succeed, don't sit on the sidelines. Instead, use the Web to build trust with your consumers using Trust Agents.

  buy book