Unlike before, however, we have 6 billion plus people to feed and that's only possible with our complex agricultural, transportation and distribution system. People in developed nations would be the worst hit if that system broke down. After the dust settles perhaps gold would again be the medium of exchange in the 19th century farming culture that would emerge in the aftermath of such a collapse.

If you have so much money that you can lay in a 25-year supply of food, fuel, medicine, tools and spare parts, by all means buy gold.

I don't believe there will be a collapse of the world economies due to funny money problems for the reasons I have already stated. However, an asteroid impact, Yellowstone eruption, pandemic, or nuclear war could cause such a collapse, and there are lots of people who spend lots of money preparing for such an event. As for me, I have better things to do with my money.