ZombieCupcake22
ZombieCupcake22 t1_j6mid7f wrote
Reply to ELI5: If the universe is flat, and therefore infinite in size, how could it have been condensed to a single point in the past? by joeyo1423
If the universe is spatially flat and can still be finite.
The surface of the torus (donut) can also be spatially flat, but it is finite. So you have two possibilities for a flat Universe: one infinite, like a plane, and one finite, like a torus, where both are flat.
ZombieCupcake22 t1_j28egyv wrote
Reply to comment by Derikoopa in eli5: Why couldn't a country in debt mint a coin of immense value and use it to pay off the debt? by Derikoopa
All currency, although for bonds and bills it's mostly from reserves held at the central bank
ZombieCupcake22 t1_j28dfzi wrote
Reply to eli5: Why couldn't a country in debt mint a coin of immense value and use it to pay off the debt? by Derikoopa
They can, but it's not always beneficial. A countries "debt" isn't the same as personal debt. The point of it is to remove some currency from circulation to help control inflation. Monetarily sovereign countries can pay it all off whenever they want.
ZombieCupcake22 t1_je70uxf wrote
Reply to ELI5: I buy $5,000 worth of stocks. Each stock is worth $1000. Suddenly the stock drops and each stock is worth $1. My portfolio is valued at $5 now. I sell. Where did $4995 money go to? by figurine00
Imagine you buy a car for $5,000 and a few years later sell it for $5. The 5K went to the original owner and then you got $5 from the new owner.
It's the same with shares.