Image via WikipediaAs I have begun this site this year I have been thinking about the Gift Economy in modern society and have been surprised at how common this type of interaction is. In the realm of the internet 'free' is almost a given and gifts are given every second of the day through Open Source Software, free ebooks, sharing of comments and ideas and more. Even large organisations like Google operate some of their programs this way as you can see with this blog being published through google's "Blogger" platform.
The other heartening thing to see is the amount of people willing to give their time and energy to helping others. Volunteer work is still popular and many people now look for ways to increase their 'self worth' by doing something meaningful in an increasingly meaningless society. This brings up an important point that most human beings want a world where people are cared for and resources are shared but are tied to old economic structures of profit and greed.
As I have mentioned in a previous post even world governments (albeit with self interest at heart) operate a very large gift economy throughout the globe under the name "economic aid" which does confirm that the current structure of world economies will never sustain human life on this planet as it creates the need for greed and self interest. This ties into the developed world's notion that economies must always grow and expand which of course is impossible in a world with limited resources.
As you continue through this blog or throughout the internet and into your day to day lives just take a look at how much 'giving' is going on. Especially in the lead up to Christmas you will see this as a most beautiful pinnacle of human endeavour: the ability to give of ourselves so that others may survive. I hope you all receive the gifts that you need and if you have everything you need why not consider changing someone's life with a gift you are able to give?
-KJ Halliday
Author of Gift Economy Australia
Editor of kjwriteleft.com
