Money was meant to be a tool to facilitate exchange of goods and services over time and without having to do so in a large group.

The value is on the foods and services, not the paper bills. Nothing more nothing less.

You're right though, people have gotten all twisted up over money. They chase money rather than exchange and barter of real value.

I always hope the net would facilitate that exchange of barter and people would pursue that to avoid taxes. Earnings are taxed but trades of services are not. The net certainly has the capability to do that. Alas, people just use I to squeeze more money instead.