From Hillary Shaw, Newport, Shropshire, UK
David Aldred’s suggestion to burn the money gained by criminal means could lead to unpleasant socioeconomic consequences. Money isn’t an asset per se. It is more like a share certificate that entitles you to a fraction of society’s actual assets (like food, houses or magazines). Just as the value of a share certificate can be diluted by issuing more shares, burning money does the reverse: increasing the entitlement value of everyone else’s £10 notes. This could lead to populist demands for more punishment (and money destruction), so more offences would be created. Not a nice society to live in (Letters, 1 November).
