The Sharing Economy

[Ludi]

People weren't understanding what I was talking about in the "Immigration" thread in the Heap when I mentioned it is possible to make a living without earning a paycheck. I was talking about the Sharing, or Gift, Economy, in which friends and neighbors share their resources with no obligation or "payment" to each other. With an extensive enough group of friends, one could make a substantial portion of one's living within the Gift Economy, with only a minimal need to earn and thus a minimal need to pay taxes. My household has a very small Sharing Community, but we benefit from it enormously. We mainly share with one family down the road. We share food, tools, and labor, to the mutual benefit to all and definite savings on the need for money.

We're gradually extending our Sharing Community to a few other friends, who unfortunately live much farther away so it's less convenient.

Does anyone else here participate in a Sharing Community or Gift Economy?

[hippymama]

No, but my grandparents lived on family farms in the 50s and they had a similar set up. There were 5 or so families that shared work and resources in exchange for goods. My grandpa and his brother had a combine, so they harvested for all the farms, a neighbor did the butchering, so my grandfather went over there to butcher. 2 other uncles and great grandpa had other things they did. My grandma sold eggs (not sharing, but still her part). They could not have survived without eachother's help.

[jenna]

This sort of makes me think of co-housing http://www.cohousing.org/default.aspx

I love the idea.

[goatee]

You mean oeople would actually have to trust each other? Hmmm... I don't know if that would work.

[karenM]

I like the ideas of both the sharing community and the cohousing setup. It wouldn't ever work where I live, but in a way we're already utilizing some of the principles, on a much smaller scale. I live in a condominium complex in the suburbs with 32 units, and with just a few exceptions, everyone pitches in to help maintain the place, and help each other. We watch out for the older residents, children, the infirm, etc. If someone needs a ladder or tools or a folding table, we all know where we can borrow them. Residents will give you rides, pick up groceries, loan you household items, watch your kids or pets, etc. We don't have regular meals together, but we do have two potluck parties every year, and during the summer the swimming pool is the central hangout and meeting place for the whole complex, especially families with kids. I never want to move!

[goatee]

That sounds awesome Karen. I actually really like the idea of a Sharing Community -- not just for the financial aspects but also for the social ones. This way of interacting builds trust.

[Ludi]

That sounds awesome Karen. I actually really like the idea of a Sharing Community -- not just for the financial aspects but also for the social ones. This way of interacting builds trust.


Yes, this kind of relationship doesn't happen instantly, but rather gradually as each person or family learns how much it can trust the other with things such as expensive tools and vehicles.

[organica]

I belonged to a sharing newtwork in Toronto called LETS. There was actually a dentist working on a sharing basis on this network!! :)
The problem was, not everyone has goods or services of value in a sharing economy. I dropped out of LETS because there was much I wanted, but I had no skills or products anyone wanted.
So this sort of thing isn't necessarily all it's cracked up to be.

[Ludi]

I belonged to a sharing newtwork in Toronto called LETS. There was actually a dentist working on a sharing basis on this network!! :)
The problem was, not everyone has goods or services of value in a sharing economy. I dropped out of LETS because there was much I wanted, but I had no skills or products anyone wanted.
So this sort of thing isn't necessarily all it's cracked up to be.


Hmm, really? What is it "cracked up to be" in your opinion, I wonder?

If you were part of my sharing community I'm sure you could be helpful. :)

Simply being a friend is "of value." What I'm talking about is not trading or exchange, but sharing. I think some people may be confused about what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about doing or giving in "exchange" for someone else doing or giving. There is no "payment," "trade," or "exchange." Simply mutual support.

[organica]

Hmm, really? What is it "cracked up to be" in your opinion, I wonder?

.

Well, LETS was "cracked up to be" a network for individuals to swap goods & services. Everything was worth "points", which you could save, spend, transfer, or use as you see fit. Maybe it's not what you meant? I may have misunderstood.
I was part of a small-scale sharing thingy in England for a while. I cleaned a health food co-operative in exchange for homegrown organic veggies, jam & honey. Is this more what you mean? It was quite unstructured.
I am still thinking that some individuals, like carpenters, doctors or herbalists, would be more vital/valuable to sharing economy. Do you agree?

[Ludi]

No, if you look at my original post I mention that "payment" is not a concept in the Gift Economy I'm talking about. In the sharing economy I'm talking about an arbitrary value isn't placed on anything over any other thing.

A helpful and kind person is the most valuable in a gift economy.

Most of my friends are geriatric, ill, or semi-crippled, but I would value them all in a sharing economy.

[goatee]

I am still thinking that some individuals, like carpenters, doctors or herbalists, would be more vital/valuable to sharing economy. Do you agree?



I don't. I believe that someone who prays is as important as someone who drills your teeth. If I'm going through a tough time a prayer would be more helpful than good teeth. And sometimes good teeth are more needed than prayers. But each person values different things -- some people hate the monks in the east because certain ones don't "do anything" and thereby don't deserve to be supported. Others love the monks.

As Ludi says, sometimes being a friend who will just be is very valuable.

[karenM]

There's something here in L.A. called "Free For All" that's a "skills pool". There's a $49 a year membership fee to help cover the organization's promotion and maintenance costs, but the services themselves are provided for free. It's not really bartering, as there are no points or balances or expecations of individual reciprocation. Instead, members just agree to make available a certain number (of their choosing) of hours of their service each week. Other members may or may not choose to use your services, but whatever happens, you're only obligated to provide your stated weekly maximum. Whether you end up working for others or not, you're still eligible to USE as much and as many services from other members as you like, up to the providers' weekly limits of course.

This is their home page: http://www.geocities.com/theskillspool/index.html
And here's a list of the current services being offered: http://www.geocities.com/theskillspool/services.html

It sounds really interesting to me. I hope this sort of system will grow and gain more popularity, but I'll admit that I'm a bit wary of services from complete strangers.

Would you participate in this kind of system?

[Ludi]

I'd rather work with people I know and extend the circle of sharing out from there.

[RicInMaine]

It is difficult NOT to build community when we approach each other with value and recognition that we enrich each others lives! Lovingkindness toward one another builds the trust required for sharing communities to work. It's good to see folks speculating on a kinder world....Peace, Ric