With the vast assortment of symbolic forms of wealth available, individuals can continually roll over their investments, trade one account, certificate, contract, or option for another-often by electronic meanswithout ever taking possession of the underlying wealth that these symbols represent. They willingly substitute worthless pieces of paper or plastic or electronic impulses (often held in custody by yet other strangers) for material wealth in the belief that symbolic promises can be readily exchanged for tangible property of equal value.

Shapiro, Susan P., The Social Control of Imper…, loc. 31