Transition Network – bringing a new world to life
The Transition concept emerged from work that permaculture designer Rob Hopkins had done with the students of Kinsale Further Education College, UK in writing an “Energy Descent Action Plan”. This looked at across-the-board creative adaptations in the realms of energy production, health, education, economy and agriculture as a “road map” to a sustainable future for...
Be Free.
How can we be free? Why do we make it so difficult for ourselves to be simply free? We buy into the collective notion that we all have to have our share of suffering, otherwise it’s not fair. We believe we have to ‘earn’ our way to success and freedom. That concept of ‘earning’ is...
Fureai Kippu – Compassion is the new currency
Fureai Kippu has been operating successfully in Japan since 1995. It’s an all-electronic complementary currency which originally began as a system for providing health care for the elderly. The system of Fureai Kippu, or “caring relationship tickets,” allows individuals to earn credits by caring for a local elderly person or anyone in need of care...
In response…
I had a wonderful time meeting Lilou Mace on a recent trip to Japan and feel blessed to have been interviewed by her. Due to the time constraint of the interview, I was only able to talk briefly about my story and wasn’t able to go into much depth. I noticed a few individuals who...
Trade School – where everyone has something to offer
Trade School is an alternative, self-organized school that celebrates hands on knowledge and experience. It’s a place to learn with other people who value practical wisdom, mutual aid, and the social nature of exchange. It’s based on the belief that everyone has something to offer. Anyone can teach a class. It runs solely on barter....
MoMA Studio: Exchange Café
“Note: This establishment does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or national currencies. We accept your individual labor, goods, ideas, and/or services in exchange for our products.” This is the statement on the brochure at MoMA Studio: Exchange Café, a social space dedicated to exchange-based practices that questions notions of reciprocity, value, and property through...
Karma Kitchen – Priceless!
“What is the value of something that doesn’t have a price? That is the fundamental question raised every week at Karma Kitchen, a volunteer-run restaurant in Berkeley. Based on an experiment in generosity, guests are presented with a $0 bill at the end of each meal. Founder and volunteer Nipun Mehta explains how the opportunity...
Why shop when you can share? – Yerdle
Yerdle lets you browse and nab items that your friends are sharing or giving away for free. What’s more, Yerdle helps you keep in touch with the people you’ve shared with. Check out Yerdle’s awesome website and you’ll see how it’s all about sharing, trusting, cooperating, and all the other juicy stuff that spells community....
Gift Economy – Anuta, Solomon Islands
A gift economy is a mode of exchange where valuables are given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards, distinguishing it from a barter economy or a market economy where there is an explicit exchange of goods or services for money or some other commodity. So how does a gift economy play out...
‘Moneyless’ market in Greece
In the Greek port city of Volos, wherever you wander through the market area, one thing you won’t need in your pocket is money. Everything is on sale through a local alternative ‘currency’ called TEM. TEM was introduced a few months ago, and it works as an exchange system. If you have goods or services...
