I recently read a book called "Debt: The First 5,000 Years" which contradicts the usual dogma that money arose to solve the problem of barter. Here is the author's discussion of that point in depth.
That was an interesting read, thanks! I wish I had time to read the entire book, but for now the blog sure put some different perspective on things for me. So really, it shouldn't be called bitcoin, it should be called bitgold.