A one-hour documentary answering the question, “what is money?” In Money We Trust? explains how money provides a shared measure of value that facilitates trade and cooperation between strangers. Throughout history, trustworthy money has fueled human achievement-from the emergence of philosophy to the high-tech revolution. Also explored is the devastation that can occur when inflation or other instability causes money not to be trusted. In extreme cases-as in Weimar Germany-society unravels. Coming on the anniversary of the 2008 financial crisis, the program shows how loss of trust in money has given rise to cryptocurrencies, greater income inequality and social turmoil. Featured are more than 20 experts including former Federal Reserve Chairmen Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker; and Adam Fergusson, author of “When Money Dies,” the definitive history of the Weimar hyperinflation.
Airs 1/11 at 3 a.m.
