With all its faults - and there are many - gold is "real" and is accepted any place on the planet as money - and has been so since recorded history. Fiat currencies are "real" as long as people believe they are valuable. The minute they fall out of favor, they can become worthless. Name 5 fiat currencies that existed (in current form) even 100 years ago. By the way, the dollar doesn't fit that definition. I don't suggest going to gold but I look at our money as simply better than the other fiat currencies right now. Not a very good recommendation in my opinion, but I'm no expert so YMMV.