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You Are Currently Watching: The Really, Really Free Market
Posted In: All Videos, Alternative NewsComments: 8 Responses
Ah, anarchy. You get such a bad rap, when really you have so much in common with conservatives! Or at least these guys. Ain’t that a thing, huh?
Most people just think of anarchists as dirty people who live in squats and smell and throw homemade firebombs through the windows of 7/11s. Ok well, that’s what I picture. Maybe most people don’t. But, still, there IS an undesirable connotation in many people’s minds about anarchists.
Which is why it was really fun to meet a lot of nice, helpful people at the Really Really Free Market, a monthly bazaar organized by none other than anarchists. They happen all over the country (perhaps all over the world, I dunno, I’m just a dumb American what do I know about what happens in fancy Europe?), and people are encouraged to start their own.
Essentially, The Really Really Free Market is a place to exchange goods or services through barter or just free giving. No money is exchanged. And yet a market still happens. Imagine!
At the one I attended this month in New York, there was a band playing, and people were giving haircuts, and someone was leading a group in laughter yoga, and there were clothes and printers and other goods for people to take, freely. Everyone was having a really, really great time.
And yeah, there was a lot of junk being given away, too. And for a jerk like me whose first instinct is to laugh when someone falls down, my first instinct was to laugh at some of the junk on the tables. A lot of the stuff NO ONE WOULD EVER NEED. So I’ll admit, I struggled at first, because I LIKED these people and didn’t want to be a JERK just because of a few baubles.
Once I got over my initial giggles and started walking around, things got better. I met some really kind, interesting people, who – like me – think the old white men in charge are a bunch of C-students. And I got a mix tape! A really fun mix tape. I like finding other people’s mix tapes. So I was happy, because I found a gem.
And I guess that was the point, right? One person’s junk is another person’s gem? Or whatever that saying is, if there is an actual saying.
The bottom line is that the people at the Really Really Free Market have really, really open minds, and are trying to do something nice and positive instead of just being angry at the system. And for me to rail on them just for a few pieces of junk would only make me a jerk.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I need better, newer stuff motherfucker!!!
March 5th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hello,Lori.
It is nice that things are brought in and shared. But in our society, it has been ingrained to get more,rather than having a true 1:1 share.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Hahaha, more stuff, more stuff! Very true, Blargal.
March 6th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Madam Resident,
A great big thank you from a non-firebombing, nicely bathed, fully-functioning, contributing-to-society anarchist for opening yourself up just a bit to the possibility that a little less central governing might just be successful. I don’t know that freely giving and/or bartering goods is exactly the same as anarchy, but the Really, Really Free Market seems to have an interesting angle. I hope you and your audience come to learn a little bit more about freedom, and I hope all of us come to understand how much happiness and real human potential is possible.
March 8th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
<3 Anarchy
March 12th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
It’s a myth that we do not have to compete to get what we need? Do you think that there is just this some pool of wealth that will continue to remain there? Do you really think nothing needs to be produced and that production should not be compensated for? Is it really that much pressure to take a dollar out of your wallet to guy a Mc Donald’s hamburger? Ooooooo no not another day of buying stuff woe is me!!!!!!!! I think I will perish into oblivion!!!!!! Darn that medium of exchange that deters our ability to be “compassionate” how dare it save us from a double coincidence of wants and many other economic costs.
Anarchy was never the punks who wore an A on their shirt and were “non-conformists”. It has an idea of using common sense to live peacefully with your fellow man rather than a bureaucracy playing police. The usage of the words “anarchia” and “anarchos”, both meaning “without ruler”, can be traced back to Homer’s Iliad[9] and Herodotus’ Histories[10]. -Wikipedia. So those people who actually care to understand what they feel as “uncomfortable to be around” can do so. And it’s not just “stupid Americans” who are complacent it is also people all around the world.
Thank you for reading what I have to say.
-Micah
March 17th, 2010 at 12:53 am
Both the written article and video about the Really Really Free Market (RRFM) are highly misleading, and offensive. The author appears rather foolish as she refers to herself as a “jerk” more than once. Moreover, she contradicts herself, and implies that “most people think of anarchists as dirty squatters who throw firebombs.” She further declares, “well maybe most people don’t”! Moreover, it’s more likely that most folks who are struggling to live their own lives, really don’t have time nor energy to think about anarchists, unless, of course, they are anarchists. Besides, you don’t have to be an anarchist to be dissatisfied with the mendacity, manipulation, greed, maladroitness, and misjudgment of the American government. But the RRFM is not simply about anarchists. It’s organized by a conglomeration of people, some anarchist, some freegan, and some neither. The people organizing and attending these events are drawn from all walks of life. Attendees are variations of economic and educational background, age, race, and ethnicity.
But people congregate as a community because they can. They intermingle at the RRFM and bring things that they don’t want or need, while others truly have use for these items. Everyone brings or shares something. In the sharing of resources, more need’s can be met, and less waste is thrown into the landfill. In addition, people find greater strength and support when resources are pooled. Many people are seeking alternatives to our materialistic and capitalistic society where the government continuously instills fear and dependence in everyone. These myths can easily be dissolved. When we can think independently with confidence, we uncover the secret that there are enough resources for all to live life comfortably. As we become more resourceful, we become free and less dependent on a corrupt government who’s primary objective is to control the very core of our existence. Many of us also realize that we’ve been taught to consume and to waste far too many things that are hardly needed or even used.
The RRFM offers a venue of goods, services, food and entertainment—all free. There are many wonderful treasures to be found here, most in good condition; some new items, antiques and even rare items can be found. The food is delicious and prepared with love. The workshops and discussions vary and there is usually some kind of entertainment or resourceful folks teaching skills or providing services.
While the author implies that there is only Junk to be found here, she is wrong! There are more than enough treasures for each attendee to carry home. Some of the “junk” that she denotes, can actually be used for arts and crafts projects. Because we have so many items that are brought into this monthly market, the market finds itself with a surplus of goods by closing time. Thus, these items are packed up and donated to various organizations.
Look again at the handful of participants who were interviewed in the video. They are enthusiastic, intelligent well-intended and caring souls (Yes, and some of them are anarchists!) who offer their skills and a service to an event that they believe is wonderful. There are no fees for anything here. Everyone who services the market is a dedicated volunteer.
These are difficult times for most people who struggle on a daily basis to make ends meet in an economy that has failed us. Therefore many people are finding new ways to pool their resources and to support and protect one another in all the ways to which they are capable. The RRFM is one remarkable option.
Chiara
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Chiara, I like the thought and can agree with some the deeper social points you’re trying to make, but as far as foolishness and contradiction go, this concept is a somewhat foolhardy and contradictory because you’ve conceived it on the back of another system.
Let’s start with “JUNK” which any real market will prove is really in the eye of THE ONE holding the better junk. Junk, according to the not so capitalistic Wikipedia … may refer to: waste, any undesired thing or substance. scrap, recyclable waste used to build new things. So, self admittedly, you’re dealing in JUNK, and you also admit that it is capitalist junk and the whole reason were here today… I mean here on this blog. If there wasn’t refuse to reuse you’d elsewhere and the really, really free market would be a non reality.
You say “an economy that has failed us”…. it’s really the other way around. It’s people that fail markets. A market is comprised of people with goods and services. PEOPLE like junk bond traders or meddling politicians spending advertising dollars or buying $3,000 call girls or people that donate rooms for events such as this. I’m guessing it’s donated by someone with the audacity to own a building or maybe the space is a local rec center paid for by tax dollars sucked up by those aforementioned overbearing meddling folks from those foolish workers who don’t know any better because they’re so consumed with consuming.
People that need, but have nothing to trade to fulfill another’s need is deemed a market failure. Granted, that creates it’s own market based on charitable donations and fulfills our human need to be altruistic which is cool. Sometimes markets fail because people are somewhat satisfied and have no current need for anything so the barkers and the bartering go home. Another problem might arise if only two of you showed up with truly specific needs and a Face Truck or laughing yoga wasn’t exactly going to do the trick. That market would certainly be a failure.
Of course everyone involved seems very nice and caring which is beautiful, but Anarchists, Freegans, Vegans, Bedouins, whatever, it doesn’t matter. This pseudo – utopian ideal you’re trying to give away is a nice thought, but it is way too simplistic and a bit confused. The librarian talked about finding someone legal services for fighting a Utility company. Last time I checked Lawyers were pretty high up on the capitalistic food chain, pro bono or not, and I’m sure they were fighting over money so…? More contradiction? Again, you’re trading goods and services created in and for another system that you deem invalid. I get the non-waste recycle premise and understand your concerns and maybe you think this is a small start, but try starting with fresh ideas… not one that’s based around day old dumpster cupcakes and plastic bag Macrame because if the junk wasn’t there for you to have this quite bizarre bazaar then we wouldn’t even be discussing this. You’d either be getting suited up in the latest automaton consumer fashions heading for the hippest cafe or soup kitchen or you’d be somewhere far north of Central park trying to eke out a meal of roots and berries. Get more real with it and then you’ll have more validity to complain about the current system. Otherwise you’re just stroking each others utopian-esque egos. Till then… See you in the State of Nature where we do, absolutely need balance!