I’m no expert on the economy, but I did play Monopoly as a kid. I learned a lot about money that way. Like how to broker elaborate side-deals with other players that would eventually break them. And how pointless that was, since once you have all the money, it really has no value, ’cause no one wants to play with you. Because you’re a jerk, and have all the money. It also doesn’t do you much good when you go to the store afterwards and have to hustle up real money to buy a candy bar. Given the game’s obvious parallels to reality recently, I’ve been surprised that the game hasn’t popped up in conversation more. Especially in light of things like the Banker’s Rules, one of which is: “The Bank never goes ‘broke’. If the Bank runs out of money it may issue as much more as may be needed by merely writing on any ordinary paper.” Sound familiar? It should, the game first gained real popularity during the Depression, when real money and Monopoly money probably had about the same value. For some amusing takes on Monopoly as reality, start with the Washington Post’s Econopoly, which uses a Flash-based Monopoly board to explain some of the current economic problems. Just click the dice and learn. McSweeny’s has The Economic Crisis Hits The Markson Family Monopoly Board, which tells the amusing tale of a family torn apart by Monopoly and real-world finance. And if you’re actually weird and obsessed enough with simply winning the game, see the disturbingly serious in-depth analysis How to Win at Monopoly – a Surefire Strategy. You’d think someone with that kind of attention to money-making might focus on the real thing. And on a slightly serious note, we might do well to deal with our addiction to US Currency in general. Not only can you print your own Monopoly money, you can print your own real money. After a fashion. Check out concepts like the Complementary Currency Resource Center or TimeBanks, which highlights the fact that time is indeed money. Anybody got a Get Out of Jail Card to sell to Bernie Madoff?