It is a plausible vision. The racket has very long tentacles. Sometimes it gives the impression that people are free, that they can make decisions and have free will. In this Matrix, we want to evolve. Money is this AI that dictates rules, or that backing makes people create an apparent sense of power. (They have it, because others admit it, allow it or support it) A wealthy person believes that money has bought him intelligence or that he has surpassed art or fashion.
Everyone can climb his own mountain, but as a philosopher once said, no matter how high you climb, you will always sit on your own ass.
Even smoke can be turned into a commodity. It's just a matter of pricing it and using marketing.