looking a gift economy in the mouth
I've been hearing a quiet buzz for a while about the notion of a "gift economy". Hard to pin down where I've been hearing it, but I can testify that DJ Spooky mentioned it briefly at his TBA Fest lecture. "Gift economy" is a term that is most strongly coming out of the Burning Man subculture. It resonates with the anti-corporation vibe that hit a high-water mark at the "battle in Seattle" WTO protests a few years back, a vibe that continues to reverberate in a fairly omnipresent way among those of the Left, in all their flavors.
"Gift economy" sounds good -- instead of greedily seeking profit, just give stuff away. It's got an appeal to anyone with lingering sympathies for Communist and Hippie ideas. But here's the thing: Burning Man is also premised upon radical independence. Everyone has to lay down some serious cash in order to buy their survival equipment and their way through the door. This has been much commented upon already...
...Here's the new idea that occurred to me a few nights ago: gift economy minus radical independence equals bribery economy. If everyone doesn't already have what they need, then gifting becomes the only means to purchasing basic needs. Install the gift economy on a society-wide basis, and that adds up to encouraging corruption. Instead of fee-for-service, you have to sweet-talk your way to where you want to go. No thanks.
I'm all for the notion of creating a surplus above what you need for survival, and then giving it away freely, rather than pursuing profit for no good reason. But let's be careful to keep the "gift economy" concept constrained -- it doesn't belong everywhere.
"Gift economy" sounds good -- instead of greedily seeking profit, just give stuff away. It's got an appeal to anyone with lingering sympathies for Communist and Hippie ideas. But here's the thing: Burning Man is also premised upon radical independence. Everyone has to lay down some serious cash in order to buy their survival equipment and their way through the door. This has been much commented upon already...
...Here's the new idea that occurred to me a few nights ago: gift economy minus radical independence equals bribery economy. If everyone doesn't already have what they need, then gifting becomes the only means to purchasing basic needs. Install the gift economy on a society-wide basis, and that adds up to encouraging corruption. Instead of fee-for-service, you have to sweet-talk your way to where you want to go. No thanks.
I'm all for the notion of creating a surplus above what you need for survival, and then giving it away freely, rather than pursuing profit for no good reason. But let's be careful to keep the "gift economy" concept constrained -- it doesn't belong everywhere.
2 Comments:
You now find yourself wanting badly to read Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy: Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars. The urge forms in the back of your mind and insists, INSISTS, INSISTS you listen to it. You MUST read the books. Something about the gift economy demands it. And there’s space elevators. And real Martians. (The robots are there but ubiquitous and not as interesting as the people. Sorry.)
Put them on a list, push them to the top of it, and read them immediately.
Anansi Boys see the threat to their supremacy in my reading tower. They mount a smear campaign, conduct better fundraising dinners, and in the end remain king of the hill. Mars trilogy learns to live as duke of the realm, ultimately feeling that it is safer not to be in the top seat of power, constantly fearing the next coup attempt.
However, it does reign over many hectares of fertile land.
"And I shall call it... The Land."
P.S. Duly noted.
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