It’s no secret that I love a good barter. I mean, really anything that exists outside capitalism makes me smile, but there’s something special about the exchange of goods between two people that feels extra special. While I’m aware that we live in a culture that depends on money, there are lots of ways that we can have some of our needs met outside that economic system. The problem with capitalism as an economic system is multifaceted and the subject of many full books, but one of the problems that I feel in my bones most deeply is that it prioritizes profit above all else. You’ll see this phrase often but maybe it’s worth taking a moment to dig into what that actually means.
“From the viewpoint of a private property economy, the "gift" is deemed to be "free" because we obtain it free of charge, at no cost. But in the gift economy, gifts are not free. The essence of the gift is that it creates a set of relationships. The currency of a gift economy is, at its root, reciprocity. In Western thinking, private land is understood to be a "bundle of rights," whereas in a gift economy property has a "bundle of responsibilities" attached.”
Your writing reinforces what I’m learning. I have had the privilege of knowing an elder who does all their teaching through the trade/gift economy. When they are asked to teach, they ask for a ride to and from the event and they ask for something to eat at the event. If the group wants to give above and beyond that they will usually suggest food! One time I wanted to gift them money and so on the way home, they asked to stop at a store to pick some food up. Being interdependent like this is a beautiful way to live a life.
“From the viewpoint of a private property economy, the "gift" is deemed to be "free" because we obtain it free of charge, at no cost. But in the gift economy, gifts are not free. The essence of the gift is that it creates a set of relationships. The currency of a gift economy is, at its root, reciprocity. In Western thinking, private land is understood to be a "bundle of rights," whereas in a gift economy property has a "bundle of responsibilities" attached.”
~ Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
I love alternative economy. My favorite way to go outside the retail world right now is FB marketplace.
I love this post so much! Thank you Kel x
Your writing reinforces what I’m learning. I have had the privilege of knowing an elder who does all their teaching through the trade/gift economy. When they are asked to teach, they ask for a ride to and from the event and they ask for something to eat at the event. If the group wants to give above and beyond that they will usually suggest food! One time I wanted to gift them money and so on the way home, they asked to stop at a store to pick some food up. Being interdependent like this is a beautiful way to live a life.
This is really making me think on how to cultivate this mindset in my life and be extension in the communities I’m in.