Cash isn't going to be king forever. It's a bit like shell money or trading in beads, an outdated system that people will laugh at sometime in the future. And while the current system probably isn't going to change any day soon (cowry shells were legal tender in some places up until the 19th century), change is coming.

First off, there are other ways to get what we want: Like most people I use plastic a good deal, Alipay, Paypal and direct payment. The paper stuff (let's not get started on coins yet) is becoming less convenient as I find myself patiently lining up behind people buying a single pastry and paying with a Great Wall Card that debits directly and has no service fee. Then there's the subway, canteen and store cards.

Cashless appears to be the way forward, if only to save on trees, avoid forgery and keep your money from being lost or stolen.