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Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 10, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I agree. The best way is titles, become the Count of Iowa for $1bn, Duke of New York for $20bn, your kids inherit the title for an extra 40% of the purchase price + inflation upon your death etc.

(un?)fortunately unconstitutional. But maybe we can come together and pass an amendment to make it okay.

You think they'd shell out just for courtesy titles? Although for that much dough we the people can throw in an exclusive weekend once a year, where the aristocracy gets to hunt in the sacred groves of west virginia.

The prices quoted are much too high, but people will do a lot for a knighthood or other such gongs. They aren't hereditary, due to vague egalitarianism and a desire not to inflate their value.

You might also be interested in the "For Iron I Gave Gold" campaign:

In 1833, Princess Marianne of Prussia asked Prussian women to give their gold in order to fund the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. In exchange, they received an iron brooch or ring with the inscription ‘Gold gab ich für Eisen’ (Gold I gave for iron). A similar appeal occurred during WWI, when the German state asked its cititzens to donate their gold for funding the war and support families who lost relatives. People donated their gold jewellery, coins a.o. and received as a thank you iron medals or rings (known as Berliner Eisen) with the same inscription as earlier.

https://www.antoinettevondermuehll.com/For-Iron-I-Gave-Gold

In 1833, Princess Marianne of Prussia asked Prussian women to give their gold in order to fund the war against Napoleon Bonaparte.

Obvious scam. The man had been buried for over ten years at this point.

But yeah, it seemed to work, and so could this.