I'm quite aware gold and silver are worth more now than they ever have been,
Gold and silver may be worth more
in US dollars than they've ever been. A good case can be made that the worth of an ounce of gold or silver has been constant while the value of the dollar has decreased. I would make the converse argument: the value of US currency is worth less now than it has ever been, thanks to out of control spending by Congress and unprecedented infusions of cash by the Fed.
but consider the Twilight Zone scenario where we figure out a way to synthesize an effective substitute for either, and there goes the value.
Gold and silver are elements. Synthesizing elements from other substances would entail precise manipulation of subatomic particles. IANAP (I am not a physicist)
but it seems to me that nothing short of atomic fusion would be required. Even if that could be accomplished, the energy requirements would likely exceed the value of the synthesized product. Still, if it were possible to synthesize any element you wanted I think it would be a lot more fun to synthesize food, shelter, companionship, entertainment, fast cars and gas to power them, eliminating the need for money altogether. Kinda like Second Life without Linden Dollars.
Jesus may have turned water into wine. Until He returns we'll have to settle for what gold and silver is already around.
Our ratty paper greenbacks would work just fine if they'd just stop printing billions more of them every time they felt like it.
Totally correct! Unfortunately no civilization in the entire history of mankind using fiat currency has ever been able to resist the enormous urge to print more of it, ultimately resulting in what ought now to be the predictable cycle of hyperinflation, devaluation, and collapse. Tell me what mystical qualities Americans have that makes us immune to this inexorable path.