What do they derive their value from? You're looking at it simplistically. Yes, in the day to day use, a currency is valued by what you can buy or sell with it. HOWEVER, the CHOICE of that currency is based on what how the country backs the currency. Will it buy it back for gold for example? Or dollars? Do you believe many countries peg the value of their currency to dollars because they have to, or need to for people to use it.

Without trust/faith, a currency is only worth the paper it's printed on.

Medium is a U.S. company under U.S. (currency) laws. What "international protocols" are you talking about? I feel you're making stuff up. The world does not operate under your ideal that people living outside a country are not taxable in that country's currency if that country decides otherwise.

If one of the countries you stay in locks you up and you say "I want my lawyer that's my human right" you'll get a fast and painful education in the value of these "international protocols". A nation's government supersedes all protocols.

I've explained why but you keep going on about how America is evil and deserves to get killed by China. If that's the case, go write for the Chinese version of Medium. While you're at it, learn how China protects its currency.

You are SO LUCKY to be able to write for medium and make U.S. dollars. SO LUCKY. It's absolutely jaw-dropping that you've travelled the world so much and don't see how those without those skills you champion would LOVE to be in your shoes.

I do greatly admire your passion at the age of 70. I'm 60. I hope I have the same in ten years.