One Cubic Foot

You are presented with two boxes that are filled with one cubic foot of a mystery substance. Each box has a note on it.

Box A’s note says the contents have superior electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, malleability, and resistance to corrosion. The contents have extraordinarily high reflective powers. The contents are used in the spacecraft industry.

Box B’s note says the contents can be very strong, ductile, and malleable. The contents are an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. The contents are known for their ability to resist corrosion. If polished, the contents have the highest reflectivity of any material, including even mirror glass. The contents are used in the spacecraft industry.

It is Monty Hall time. Which box would you prefer? I should probably warn you that this is not a game show and that I am not your game show host. Nothing is free here. Should you wish to purchase a box you may therefore wish to look at the price tags.

Box A's price is $21 million.

Box B's price is $151.

Still deciding? Okay, okay. Look inside the boxes then.

Box A is filled with 1,728 cubic inches of gold. The box weighs 1,206 pounds. At today's prices, it costs $21 million.

Box B is filled with 1,728 cubic inches of aluminum. The box weighs 169 pounds. At today's prices, it costs just $151.

Some of you are going to point out an obvious fact that is missing in my analysis. The world has been in love with gold for 5,000+ years. Why hasn't there been a similar love of aluminum? I would respond with a shoulder shrug and an often overlooked bit of information as seen in one of the links below.

1. Aluminum was was not "discovered" until 1808. It would therefore have been impossible for the world to have been in love with aluminum for 5,000+ years.

2. The world has not been in love with computers for 5,000+ years either, and yet here we are relying on them to debate the price of gold's true value.

3. The world does love aluminum. Big time. We just don't seem to realize it these days. We'll drink a can of Coca Cola and/or Pepsi and just toss the empty can right into the recycling bin, and for some out a car window or straight into the garbage. Not a thought is given of its true value to us.

It's just an opinion of course, but at $21 million per cubic foot, I think gold has become very expensive relative to the other things I could be filling that box with if I was looking to lock in a current standard of living long-term. At just $0.06 per troy ounce, I could fill it with things I need and use every day: canned goods, aluminum, and/or toilet paper.

See Also:
Gold to Aluminum Price Ratio

Source Data:
Densities of Materials
Kitco: Gold
Kitco: Aluminum
NWTM: Gold Uses
Aluminum - An Essential Metal
Wikipedia: Aluminum