519-646-2222Cash Was King: A Farewell to Simpler Times
There was a time when cash was more than just a method of payment—it was a symbol of freedom, privacy, and simplicity. You could trade bills for goods, slip a few twenties under the table for work done, or settle debts with nothing more than a handshake and a folded envelope. It was fast, frictionless, and left no digital trace. In many ways, it was the lifeblood of personal commerce. But those days are gone.
The slow decline began innocently enough with the arrival of the so-called “Johnny Cash Machine”—Canada’s affectionate nickname for the ATM. At first, it was just a tool for withdrawing cash conveniently. Then it started accepting deposits, cashing cheques, and processing transfers. Soon, the machine that once dispensed freedom began tethering us to the digital banking system. From there, the shift was rapid and irreversible.
As ATMs multiplied, so did the emergence of Point of Sale devices. Suddenly, cash wasn’t needed to buy groceries, pay for gas, or grab a coffee. Debit cards took over, offering speed and security. They were easier to carry, harder to lose, and traceable—a feature that excited banks and governments, though not necessarily consumers. What we gained in efficiency, we began to lose in autonomy.
Then came the era of credit. What began as a way to defer payments and earn rewards turned into a widespread replacement for cash. Tap technology eliminated even the need to insert or swipe, and plastic reigned. Interchange fees, debt accumulation, and algorithmic credit scoring became standard parts of everyday life. But by then, the shift was normalized. We traded in anonymity for convenience, sovereignty for perks.
Today, credit cards are abundant and cash is scarce. The paper money that once held weight now sits forgotten in kitchen drawers or glove compartments—an emergency stash at best. Businesses that once displayed “Cash Only” signs now refuse it altogether. Kids grow up learning to use cards before they ever handle a ten-dollar bill. And so, we arrive at what can only be described as a transactional dystopia: one where every purchase is logged, every behavior analyzed, and every cent traceable.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about control. When all commerce flows through digital channels, financial institutions and tech companies become gatekeepers. Every transaction carries metadata, every payment can be paused, denied, or reversed. We’ve built a world where convenience trumps discretion, and where the cost of participation is visibility.
Cash, once the unchallenged monarch of money, now exists in the shadows of the system it used to rule. Its reign may be over, but its value—philosophical and practical—still echoes. As we tap, swipe, and scan our way through this century, maybe we should pause to remember what we’ve lost along the way. Cash was king. Rest in peace.