Re: Currency, watermelons

H. S. Teoh wrote:

>Just wondering... anybody's conlang/conculture *doesn't* have currency
>involved? Not that a money-less world is particularly plausible, but I
>wonder if people have actually explored that direction in conlanging /
>conculturing. And I'm talking about alternative trading systems, and not
>just elementary stuff like bartering. Just thought it'd be neat if
>somebody thought of some conculture somewhere that uses something other
>than currency for trading... or perhaps a culture that isn't based on
>trading? Just wondering...
The Telen have no currency, and very rarely barter.  Instead that have a
system
based on "reciprocity".  If you need something, you go to someone who has it
and ask for it.  That person gives it to you unless he is in immediate need of
it.  (Shelter and farmland are always in immediate need).  In return, next
time
that person needs something, he can come to you if you have what is needed,
and
you are obligated to reciprocate.  There need not be any connection between
what you requested and what he requested.  The system only works when
people do
not take with permission and when everybody participates.

Thieves and "misers" are ostricized from the reciprocity ring until such time
as they prove that they can be trusted to uphold their end of the social
contract.  This is effective because nobody is self-sufficient, so eventually
they must conform or face severe consequences (often related to an reduced
ability to gain food or clothing).  Likewise, they can be gradually
"rehabilitated" because some people are more trustful and forgiving than
others.  One person might forgive a thief in matter of days, while another may
take years.  This can have a definite affect on the thief's lifestyle.

Bartering is used only for items like farmland and housing -- things that have
immediate value for shelter or food and are not easily constructed.







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Marcus Smith
AIM:  Anaakoot
"When you lose a language, it's like
dropping a bomb on a museum."
  -- Kenneth Hale
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