Back to a barter and trade society?

I'm not entirely certain that I think the global economic meltdown is a bad thing. It has made people re-evaluate what they need to survive. Everyone that I know is talking about downsizing and preparing for the worst. People are talking about planting gardens in their back yards, the "Barter" ads in Craigslist are growing larger each day, and the prices of goods are coming down.

People's credit scores are at an all time low (don't get me started on how unethical the FICO process is) to the point where people are just shrugging and saying "well, I wasn't planning on buying a new truck anyway".

People are figuring out ways of becoming "greener"--using less energy because the bills are getting higher. They are finding workarounds that they wouldn't have considered before.

And best of all I think people are becoming more aware of the deception that has been directed at them for so many years.

There is great potential at the moment if we can just for a moment quit thinking that we are all going to die in 2012. Look at this as a moment of opportunity. Start your own bank. Start your own barter or co op community. Start something because now is the time.

I know of people who have developed a prototype for a commuter car that will cost less than 10K and get 85 MPG. They would not have created the vehicle if the gas prices hadn't been so high. BTW, U2U me if you want info.

I know of people who purchased dairy sheep so they can make their own cheese that they trade for eggs and vegetables. So now they are living healthier whether they like it or not.

I know a couple who made a wood burning furnace that hooks into their HVAC made out of an old oil drum and $45 dollars in parts from a catalog. They are now saving huge amounts of money on their electric bill.

If everyone with a good idea shared it, if you are willing to barter what you know or own with someone else, etc. we can start a grass roots movement to actually change the world instead of waiting for someone "smarter" to change it for you. All it takes is a seed.

Now is the time. Blessings to all!

I agree with everything that you're saying, except considering the meltdown a 'good thing.' It would still be better if it didn't happen. I worry about my parents because they are retired and a large part of their retirement is in stocks. So, I feel for the older folks.

For the middle-agers though, who have for the most part grown up in times of plenty, re-evaluating their lifestyle is a good thing. I have done everything that you mentioned. I am even considering not getting another car (mine konked out just before winter) and using public transit. Started a garden last year with peppers and tomatoes and will add more this year. It's not too hard.

And, I don't know if any of you have heard of this but a guy from work has a corn furnace. It burns corn and he says he warms his house for about $500CDN per winter. I pay about $1000 or more for oil heat. He buys corn by the ton real cheap and all you got to do is shovel it in once a day. He loves it. Might not be practical for everyone but maybe for some.

Barter is a good system and I think localized barter websites may be the next big thing.

I'll trade you 3 camels, 2 donkeys and a goat for your daughter

sound far fetched? well they still do this in alot of countries!

reply to post by warrenb

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I spent considerable time in Egypt and witnessed someone offering the person I was with livestock for me. It was rather disconcerting.

Now, if he had offered me the livestock I might have accepted. Food shortages and all...

reply to post by TheComte

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Yes, there is a co op near me now where they have a silo of corn cobs for their furnaces.

Myself I have looked into dome homes (practically disaster resistant) and I never would have looked at anything that ugly before. However, they employ ancient technology and are cool in summer, warm in winter, and although ugly are hurricane, tornado, and earthquake (liquefaction) resistant.

A few years back CNN called me and asked if I would be available for an interview on bartering. They saw my bartering ads in Craigslist. I agreed.

I don't remember a lot of the interview - but I do remember being asked it I thought bartering would prove bad for the economy. The insinuation being that we wouldn't be paying taxes etc - if there wasn't a way of tracking the "goods".

I laughed.
Whose business is it if we have skills that we can trade amongst ourselves?
When did we become someone's property?

Isn't this a right we are born with? To use our talents the way that we want to -
and actually decide what they are worth based on our own needs instead of the monetary system - where everything costs more than it should - and where no one sees the same value in the same objects and services.

Here we are - this wonderful group of humans - with this perfect situation to get many of our needs met from one another - without a middle man.
Sorry middle man.

I agree - we have an opportunity - to take who we really are and apply it to a world that is in dire need of simplicity and truth. Balanced and realistic value.

This is a great way to begin our journey to real freedom

We really have all that we need.
We have just been led to believe that we are lacking.

reply to post by spinkyboo

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Here-here!

I absolutely agree. We've become so disconnected from everything and each other. We don't see what we eat and pay for it. We don't see who makes what we buy and they pay for it.

What's wrong with bartering? With helping each other?

Good for you. How did the CNN interview turn out? Were they fair to you?

We are all going to have to barter soon - either the stores will be closed or money won't by snip due to hyper-inflation.

Here is an interesting and smart guy who is way ahead of his time, I which he would post on ATS or do an interview:

ranprieur.com...

Apparently the interview aired. I had no TV at the time so I couldn't watch it.
The interviewer was a darling though. He just nodded his head a lot. : )

I got an email from the producer telling me it aired and that they were happy with it and planning to air it again. I wrote and asked for a copy of the tape. Long shot.
No reply.. Not surprising.

Very good thread. Starred and flagged. This, and a moneyless resource society with community, cooperation and leaving no one out, is the only way we can step out of their system, their plans and take back this world for the people.
Many different versions of the same idea. But then thats necessary. Because its so grass roots and flexible, no one owns the idea.

Star clicked...

I have been yelling for awhile that we need to be a society based on diversified production. Producing our own food and products etc. It helps create community where relationships are far beyond simply being another consumer. This also improves security as we are less dependent upon other countries for our goods and those we get will become fully utilized instead of being dropped in landfills.

It is saddening that so many people are having a hard time however.

Here's a good way to start, unless you live in the middle of the desert or near the poles...



After food, whatever you can get built by local craftsmen and women will be treasured far above any plastic crap you buy at the big box stores that got shipped over half the world.

Doing so will enrich your neighbours and yourself. What can you do for the person you'd like to shingle your roof next summer? Barter is a great way that's worked for thousands of years and there's no reason for it not to work now. Just ask the Mennonites/Amish and they'll SHOW you how it's a good thing.

Of course, it'll take time to make a difference.

good thread.

barter is all well & good, if one keeps it a low-key individual thing...

i would warn others, that if you desire to become a full spectrum
batererer/trader with all kinds of wares...your setting yourself up for a commando style raid on your warehouse.


i'm keeping stuff i heard from others which i kinda agree with...

my barter merchandise will be things like cigarettes, liquor, condoms,
and other personal hygiene/feel-good products which might well-be too hyper-inflated to be 'common-items' in our dystopia future.

i sure ain't gonna have gold coins or gold/&/silver bars known to be in
my possession... as that would attract groups of thugs or gang-bangers
which i sure would not want invading my sanctuary

reply to post by spinkyboo

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Bravo to you for that post! Even before the recent downturn of the economy, I'd been thinking about why we are slaves to our jobs? What if we just want to build a house from mud and sticks, go easy on the earth, grow our own organic food, and just be? We'd be so much healthier and happier. The average person doesn't easily find that choice; generally. We are so controlled and manipulated. The way we live isn't the way it was meant to be. At this point, it would be complicated for the majority to live this way - people would have to generally do the right thing; to be trustworthy, dependable, and hardworking.

But I guess we have to start somewhere. Time for me to start looking at how to downsize - start growing some vegies in my little spot of dirt in the back of my rented unit. Time to start really thinking.

Thanks OP for this thread. Star and flag.

I asked my ISP if they would trade me my internet connection for some of those lawn ornaments made out of plastic milk jugs.

They said they prefer cash, check, or credit card.

reply to post by jsobecky

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I find that hard to believe. Do you have any proof that you could show us?

For lawn ornaments, wouldn't you rather have an old plowshare or one of those bathtubs with the lions feet? They look so nice with petunias spilling out of them.

Personally, I've been bartering most of my life. As an artist, I have lots of paintings people want and, if they have something I could use, not a penny needs to change hands.

reply to post by masqua

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No, I didn't tape the conversation.



Well now, that's a matter of personal taste, isn't it? Personally, for petunias, I like a set of old snow tires.



Artists are fortunate in that their creations lend themselves to barter more easily than most other items. Except in my case.






[edit on 10-1-2009 by jsobecky]

I hope that people realize that my posts here were made in jest. They were meant to instill a sense of reality in the discussion, in that barter has some very severe limitations. Not to say that it cannot work in some cases, but you cannot plan a lifestyle around a barter system.

Sorry if anyone took offense.

I'd be willing to trade you one of my framed drawings for a string of those nifty milk jugs, especially if they had orange paint on the inside and Jack-O-Lantern Halloween faces.

What a great way to recycle!



[edit on 10/1/09 by masqua]

You hit the nail on the head!
Really - why and when did - who we are - become someone elses property?
Why the rules about what we are allowed to do with who we are?
Why did all of this land that the earth provides become a place we cannot decide to reside? Why are there homeless, starving people anywhere? When there is so much space and so much food.

Because there are rules - made by man that keep us far from our own instincts -
and keep their hands in our pockets.

Anything natural has been made to look wrong,
including, remedies, food and housing.

I traveled extensively through the states last year. As we all know, the space is endless. There is enough space and potential on this planet for everyone to have a home and an opportunity to grow their own safe - non-GMO- organic food.

And you are right. It would mean a massive overhaul and exercise in the lessons of integrity and honesty for the human race -
but an exercise that would certainly serve us on a much deeper and satisfying level.
What a concept.
Helping each other.