Test of Today – Moody Monday & The Concept of Money

November 10th, 2025

Salam, friends.

It seems strange to say that we’re already ten days into the month of November, and so much closer to the new year.

I was going to name today’s test “The Economy” but that felt like a cop out. Each day we live, it seems like we can blame the economy for something. It used to be that we couldn’t control the weather – but in trying to do so, we’ve forgotten about reality.

Everyone’s reality is a little bit different because of a funny thing we call, perception. However, we as humans, are fallible in our perceptions. As with our memories, our perceptions can be shaped and influenced by our feelings, the environment, and the people we listen to, whether they are real or not.

With the everyday battle now with AI, struggling to determine what is real and what is a computer-generated hallucination, we often can’t be sure of anything we’re told. What was reality, and fact, yesterday, could be debunked today. Then rebunked (not a word, but should it be?)?

This Monday was gloomy, in weather and in thought. I was reminded of why I decided to boycott Amazon, and Walmart, and all the other corporate oligarchies that our governments are so intent on propping up. Dynamic pricing.

What used to be a consequence of physical location and demographic, prices for groceries and basic necessities like milk and bread, are now determined by AI powered readers and sensors that change the price tags of items before your eyes.

We’ve known for some years that online shopping platforms and retailers were employing this dynamic pricing strategy based on data collected from third-party sellers or from our very devices, through targeted advertising or blatant promotions sent directly to your inbox.

Brick and Mortar stores used to be a safe haven for people, not just for the necessary social interaction but because consumers knew that once prices were set (at least for the day) they wouldn’t change. That is no longer our reality as consumers anymore.

The price of food, of electronics, its all imaginary now. At least, that’s what it feels like. The “experts” in charge of creating these policies are the same people that don’t have to question if they can afford their bills at the end of the month. The same people telling millions of struggling families who cannot afford to maintain basic, humane quality of life, even in the “civilized West”, are the same few who cannot tell you the last time they bought their own milk or bread.

The concept of money, from its inception, whether you believe that was the Babylonians or the Romans, has always been value for value. Money was created to act as a conduit to exchange goods and services and give those meaning, a value. What happens when that value is constantly changing? When nothing else improves but life becomes more costly, what does that mean?

I can’t help but think of Marie Antoinette. She thought she was safe, she thought she could appease the masses while they were starving and she was lavishly living a life that was funded and provided by the same people she dismissed.

Maybe I just need some cake?

Money is and always has been “imaginary.” Certain men decided upon the value and then the rest of the world followed suit. So, why is it that people are willing to do anything, even commit murder, for money?

Because money is the means to power; to gain the right to determine the price and not worry that you’ll be able to pay.

Sorry if I made you as moody as I was this Monday. I’m trying to figure out where the best value for money is these days, and if that is even a possibility, let alone a reality these days.

Any tips on alternative retailers where I can find nice home décor and dinnerware (that won’t cost more than my rent), that would be much appreciated.

Salam.