[dale_glass]

They're relatively useless for other purposes. Eg, gold is rare, heavy and malleable. In situations where you need those qualities other options exist, like lead. It has the advantage of not oxidizing, so it makes for great jewelry.

But all of that is extremely contextual. If it turns out there's a huge reserve of it somewhere, it will crash in value. Or if things crash badly enough there may be other things to worry about. Eg, a community that desperately needs water is probably more interested in pipes than gold.

[justinator]

Gold is far from useless - I’ll wager whatever hardware you typed that comment on is made up in small part with gold.

[codedokode]

Only a tiny amount of gold is used in electronics. Also, this doesn't explain why people were greedy for gold thousands years before.

[justinator]

>Only a tiny amount of gold is used in electronics.

That's what interesting - only a tiny amount of gold is needed. This wouldn't work with lead.

>this doesn't explain why people were greedy for gold thousands years before.

You're asking me to do this research?