The Sh800m banana and the truth about true value of money

What a time to be alive. A banana (titled “Comedian”) taped to a wall auctioned off for Sh800 million. Profound? Provocative? All depends on whether you think “Banana-as-Art" is even art to begin with. But who cares, someone placed a bid, won and eventually ate the fruit - like it’s supposed to.

But beyond the absurdity of this auction and what it says about the status of contemporary art, I think the presentation cast light on something deeper; how we ascribe value and what that says about us.

You see, we often hear about the colour of money. But tools of exchange have no real colour. On the contrary, money is only a mirror reflecting the different colours of men. It’s the big revealer. If a man is greedy, money will amplify the greed. Put money in the hands of a good man, and he will spread goodness all over.

So while for some it reflects freedom, achievement and generosity, for others it reflects their poverty of values and hidden insecurities.

The latter walks around strapped with Sh4 million Rolex Yacht-Master and draped in Sh1 million Brioni suits, often through areas where such items are not so much must-haves but never-will-haves. This is meaningless.

But aren’t we all trapped in our own vain patterns (including yours truly)? Many of us are unwitting monsters of conspicuous consumption. Some are fixated on being the best, often driven by insatiable envy and outside approval, perceiving the world as a battleground where only winners and losers exist.

Most faithful disciples of Marcus Crassus, once hailed as “the richest man in ancient Rome” who is reported to have said, “greed is but a word jealous men inflict upon the ambitious.” This is the “He who dies with the most toys wins” crowd.

Unfortunately, all this chasing has led many to great harm. Needless to say, most of us have already (or will soon) tested the consequences of our ineffectual money pursuits. Not to say that money is evil. Only the love for it. It is said whoever loves money never has enough and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Oh! the hearts of men. Ever falling for the seductiveness of wealth. No wonder they say a poor man is exhibiting someone else’ character. That his humility is only confirmed when he has access to wealth and still remains humble.

True, money brings to light what is hidden in darkness and exposes the motives of the heart. As the philosopher Ayn Rand put it, “money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.”

The poet Ramesh Kavdia also captured the essence in his poem, colour of money. He writes “...money was for sharing, money was for caring, now, money is slowly losing all its colours, getting blacker and blacker, getting darker and darker, losing all its shine and glory. If you’ve ever wondered what the colour of money is, just look within.

The writer is Managing Director, Canaan Capital