A sobering thought for a clearer view of the world:

“Every agent in the economy acts out of self-interest.”

This is not an indictment but a fundamental truth of human nature. Recognizing this fact is essential to understanding the dynamics of our interactions.

Imagine this: several participants are tasked with stretching a sheet so it remains perfectly flat. For the sheet to stay balanced, each individual must pull with equal force. Any imbalance distorts the symmetry, causing disarray. This simple exercise encapsulates the essence of all human relationships—harmony is achievable only when efforts are balanced.

However, equality of effort does not arise spontaneously. Each individual must continuously refine their abilities and strengthen their capacity. The strong must never weaken themselves to accommodate the weak—such a concession would betray their inherent potential and undermine the collective equilibrium. Instead, strength must be leveraged to uplift. The strong should share knowledge and resources, empowering others to grow—not by surrendering their own power but by expanding the collective capacity. Only through self-improvement and mutual empowerment can balance be sustained and harmony cultivated.

From this, a profound conclusion emerges: money is merely a symbolic construct—a placeholder for proportionality in human interactions. It represents the equivalence of efforts and resources invested in relationships and exchanges. Just as with the stretched sheet, balance is paramount to maintaining harmony. The author of Stranger in a Strange Land encapsulated this concept with precision:

“Money was an idea, as abstract as an Old-One’s thoughts—money was a great structured symbol for balancing and healing and growing closer.”