"Convivial economics" is a beautiful and oh-so-helpful term as we ponder how it is that we will work in our own local ruins. Thank you so much! We will await what emerges for you in 2025, with deep gratitude for your generous offerings to us.
I love this idea of "convivial economics". Also of inviting people into your home - I've been trying, without much success, to get folks to visit us in our new home, since moving here 3 years ago. Perhaps I need to start more locally, with a neighbourhood fika (funny that, I'd not come across the word fika until yesterday when, after celebrating solstice on Hackney Marshes, we retired to a café of that name). I've also been thinking a lot of the magical economics practiced by Thomas Sharp, who simply deems that an artistic event needs to exist in the world, and then suddenly finds it paying for itself.
Coincidentally, I took our mutual friend Jones with me to yesterday's celebrations; your name came up in conversation and we both hoped that a time will come when we are able to travel to Sweden together to visit you.
Thank you, Dougald, for this wonderful holiday musing. We have also stumbled along the path of understanding the economy of giving (and receiving), especially when hosting “open” community events, invitations by word of mouth among friends and the awkwardness of “economic realities” present when the hospitality of the heart is what feels friendly and community-bonding, as in “communion”…what we came to realize through experience is that there is a HUGE difference between an admission fee/a charge (think “demand”) and a donation, suggested or otherwise (think “gift”)…the key element is the receptacle…(think “tip jar”) which allows comers and goers the opportunity to open their hearts and their pocketbooks, sometimes anonymously, and comes from inspiration or the sheer joy borne of having a heart-warming/-opening experience that in truth, is often priceless and resonates long after the doors are closed and the people have shuffled off to their mundane worlds…it’s not only worth experimenting with, this seeking of right-gifting, but fun as well…(think Magic Hat)🎩 🎄Happy holidays to all❤️🌟💚
Just a week ago my neighbors and I celebrated what has become an annual ritual for us. They help me rake the leaves from my yard, and then (fire weather postings permitting) we have a fire in the fire pit and a cookout, or share a big pot of soup or stew with some pot luck sides and dessert, and it is always a wonderful time that builds the bonds of community. I love the combination of working together, many hands making the work both light and fun, and breaking bread together afterward with the relish of fresh air.
I second all that others have said here. I am looking forward to more explorations of gift economy, aaand, what kept coming to mind was that perennial feature of small town farmers' grange hall and local church gatherings, and those of communities poor enough that no one person or family can foot the bill for such a thing: the "pot luck" or "covered dish" supper where everyone supplies one dish to the common table. Inevitably family and community stories related to the food get shared, recipes get shared, and hearts are knitted together a bit more. Somehow everyone gets their fill and yet there are always leftovers, which always strikes me as a loaves and fishes kind of situation.
It's the limit on how much you take that matters. Typically, no one wants to discuss that as anything more than a private decision free from any judgment of others. (Otherwise, it's communism!)
How easy if you're Illich — no dependents, no real property, no need and no chance of leaving anything behind, and enough of a support network to get by. (No surprise his later years were spent in Germany.) And still so hard. He may as well have taken a vow of poverty by our usual standards.
Behind the innkeeper are many costs including his mortgage. Only in a small community / market is there any chance of a full circle of forbearance, graciousness, and self-limits chosen in light of others. And so easily broken.
Money is a curse and blessing that becomes the proxy for the necessary direct violence of extraction that is abstracted away.
The bottom line cannot be evaded: someone must kill and someone must serve so we can eat. it's good to keep that in view too, however small one's footprint may become.
this is also happening in New Germany, Nova Scotia. our weekly FREE coffee club hosted in a church hall exists on volunteers doing the cooking/baking/serving with a donation jar next the serving window. so far over several years the donations cover the expenses including food ingredients and help out a few families at risk identified by a third-party with expertise in social assistance. 70-80 folks participate every week, often including local elder-care residents, multi-generational, but skewing grey as it is a weekday event. Coffee Club has spawned a Free Fridge on the unlocked back porch that mysteriously and wonderfully re-fills, again by donation, from which everyone in the wide rural community is welcome to give and take. this has become THE community hub and has regenerated social-exchange in the area, and beyond as every week folks from an hour or more away are also showing up to enjoy the vibe.
You have helped me, yet again, to open a space big enough to include a wholesome dose of both not-knowing and honoring what I do know, if only just barely. I love and welcome this heavy dose of both uncertainty and willingness to stand steadfast in what is real and true.
I am struck by the two images you show that capture the spirit of the Northern hemisphere at this time of year - reciprocity between what is happening outside the shelters we make for ourselves and the making of light that happens as we become inside animals for the winter months!
This resonates a lot. We do have options for people contribute if they want (and timebanking/mutual aid examples) but in general, my favourite thing is sharing the abundance we have. This film is something which came out of a group of TimeBank mycelium a group of holistic practitioners plus our Feast Collective. Love was in the air! 😀 https://youtu.be/IEIB315PYDU?si=abARTXH6gD8lhboO
"Convivial economics" is a beautiful and oh-so-helpful term as we ponder how it is that we will work in our own local ruins. Thank you so much! We will await what emerges for you in 2025, with deep gratitude for your generous offerings to us.
Thanks, Dottie!
I love this idea of "convivial economics". Also of inviting people into your home - I've been trying, without much success, to get folks to visit us in our new home, since moving here 3 years ago. Perhaps I need to start more locally, with a neighbourhood fika (funny that, I'd not come across the word fika until yesterday when, after celebrating solstice on Hackney Marshes, we retired to a café of that name). I've also been thinking a lot of the magical economics practiced by Thomas Sharp, who simply deems that an artistic event needs to exist in the world, and then suddenly finds it paying for itself.
Coincidentally, I took our mutual friend Jones with me to yesterday's celebrations; your name came up in conversation and we both hoped that a time will come when we are able to travel to Sweden together to visit you.
Thank you, Dougald, for this wonderful holiday musing. We have also stumbled along the path of understanding the economy of giving (and receiving), especially when hosting “open” community events, invitations by word of mouth among friends and the awkwardness of “economic realities” present when the hospitality of the heart is what feels friendly and community-bonding, as in “communion”…what we came to realize through experience is that there is a HUGE difference between an admission fee/a charge (think “demand”) and a donation, suggested or otherwise (think “gift”)…the key element is the receptacle…(think “tip jar”) which allows comers and goers the opportunity to open their hearts and their pocketbooks, sometimes anonymously, and comes from inspiration or the sheer joy borne of having a heart-warming/-opening experience that in truth, is often priceless and resonates long after the doors are closed and the people have shuffled off to their mundane worlds…it’s not only worth experimenting with, this seeking of right-gifting, but fun as well…(think Magic Hat)🎩 🎄Happy holidays to all❤️🌟💚
Just a week ago my neighbors and I celebrated what has become an annual ritual for us. They help me rake the leaves from my yard, and then (fire weather postings permitting) we have a fire in the fire pit and a cookout, or share a big pot of soup or stew with some pot luck sides and dessert, and it is always a wonderful time that builds the bonds of community. I love the combination of working together, many hands making the work both light and fun, and breaking bread together afterward with the relish of fresh air.
I second all that others have said here. I am looking forward to more explorations of gift economy, aaand, what kept coming to mind was that perennial feature of small town farmers' grange hall and local church gatherings, and those of communities poor enough that no one person or family can foot the bill for such a thing: the "pot luck" or "covered dish" supper where everyone supplies one dish to the common table. Inevitably family and community stories related to the food get shared, recipes get shared, and hearts are knitted together a bit more. Somehow everyone gets their fill and yet there are always leftovers, which always strikes me as a loaves and fishes kind of situation.
It's the limit on how much you take that matters. Typically, no one wants to discuss that as anything more than a private decision free from any judgment of others. (Otherwise, it's communism!)
How easy if you're Illich — no dependents, no real property, no need and no chance of leaving anything behind, and enough of a support network to get by. (No surprise his later years were spent in Germany.) And still so hard. He may as well have taken a vow of poverty by our usual standards.
Behind the innkeeper are many costs including his mortgage. Only in a small community / market is there any chance of a full circle of forbearance, graciousness, and self-limits chosen in light of others. And so easily broken.
Money is a curse and blessing that becomes the proxy for the necessary direct violence of extraction that is abstracted away.
The bottom line cannot be evaded: someone must kill and someone must serve so we can eat. it's good to keep that in view too, however small one's footprint may become.
this is also happening in New Germany, Nova Scotia. our weekly FREE coffee club hosted in a church hall exists on volunteers doing the cooking/baking/serving with a donation jar next the serving window. so far over several years the donations cover the expenses including food ingredients and help out a few families at risk identified by a third-party with expertise in social assistance. 70-80 folks participate every week, often including local elder-care residents, multi-generational, but skewing grey as it is a weekday event. Coffee Club has spawned a Free Fridge on the unlocked back porch that mysteriously and wonderfully re-fills, again by donation, from which everyone in the wide rural community is welcome to give and take. this has become THE community hub and has regenerated social-exchange in the area, and beyond as every week folks from an hour or more away are also showing up to enjoy the vibe.
Beautiful mince pies!
Thanks once again!
You have helped me, yet again, to open a space big enough to include a wholesome dose of both not-knowing and honoring what I do know, if only just barely. I love and welcome this heavy dose of both uncertainty and willingness to stand steadfast in what is real and true.
I am struck by the two images you show that capture the spirit of the Northern hemisphere at this time of year - reciprocity between what is happening outside the shelters we make for ourselves and the making of light that happens as we become inside animals for the winter months!
Wonderful, thanks Dougald. May the no-goal world continue to thrive! Oh, but it already is, even without my noticing! Happy Christmas to you all xx
This resonates a lot. We do have options for people contribute if they want (and timebanking/mutual aid examples) but in general, my favourite thing is sharing the abundance we have. This film is something which came out of a group of TimeBank mycelium a group of holistic practitioners plus our Feast Collective. Love was in the air! 😀 https://youtu.be/IEIB315PYDU?si=abARTXH6gD8lhboO
Have a wonderful holiday, Douglas, and a very happy Christmas to you and your family.
Oh boy do I which I was there. To chew on all of these sweet and spicy questions in the company of your neighbors.
Thank you - such a helpful way to think about money and its place in community and how we encounter others. These are things I’m thinking about too 🙏