BBC How to Live a Simple Life.

[theabsinthefairy]

I think that people will barter goods and services but in the background there will always be a system where people value things in a monetary sense........

I think you are quite right, we are so accustomed to seeing the cost of something as opposed to its value, that it gets harder and harder to see their real worth.

So it set me to thinking whether we are getting a 'fair' exchange on some of our barters and I came to the following conclusion using a recent example,

my OH fixed a car for a neighbour recently, it took him most of the day, in return he received 5 sterre of wood.

but... if you look at it from a monetary point of view

a day's labour in a garage = at least 200 euros
5 sterre of wood = usual cost 40euros per sterre = 200 euros

a truly fair exchange on a monetary basis you would think

but ...... (bear with me - I am going somewhere with this!)

OH = 1 day labour, no parts used, just taking something apart, cleaning it, then putting it back together,
Neighbour = part thereof of day cutting wood down, cutting it to size and then stacking it - probably a day in terms of hours spent building a stack of wood sized at 5 sterre.

Therefore - a perfectly equitable barter.

Which means that both sides of the exchange had the same value in monetary / time terms.

It would be easy to leave yourself open to feelings of resentment and of being used if both sides have disproportionate ideas of value though - and I think here you can see the value of money - with its agree values known by both sides.

My problem seems to be that whilst I agree with the face value of the money in my hand I don't agree with the price demanded by the vendors usually.

[southeast-isher]

very interesting points absinthefairy!

episode 2 in post tomorrow if needed...

[theabsinthefairy]

yes please, and thank you!

[bonniethomas06]

The problem I had with this programme was that while this vicar is making a success of it for a year -it wouldn't work en-masse. He relies heavily on the locals to hand him freebies/barter/accommodate him. But if everyone in the village did it, it wouldn't work - the shopkeeper couldn't pay her suppliers in walnuts and the pub would be repossessed if all of its customers paid in labour instead of money.

So it is not a realistic proposition that everyone should do it. Perhaps that is not the intention, and it is really a study of this curiosity designed to stimulate thought - which is great. However, a more realistic approach for everyone else, would be to produce as much of their own produce as they can, and find a way to produce money (by part time working or selling produce) in order to buy the things the can't produce, and to contribute to a society which relies upon money.

My 2pence worth. Or should that be 2 walnuts worth.

[Big Al]

The problem I had with this programme was that while this vicar is making a success of it for a year -it wouldn't work en-masse. He relies heavily on the locals to hand him freebies/barter/accommodate him. But if everyone in the village did it, it wouldn't work - the shopkeeper couldn't pay her suppliers in walnuts and the pub would be repossessed if all of its customers paid in labour instead of money.

So it is not a realistic proposition that everyone should do it. Perhaps that is not the intention, and it is really a study of this curiosity designed to stimulate thought - which is great. However, a more realistic approach for everyone else, would be to produce as much of their own produce as they can, and find a way to produce money (by part time working or selling produce) in order to buy the things the can't produce, and to contribute to a society which relies upon money.

My 2pence worth. Or should that be 2 walnuts worth.

..... depends on if they were shelled or whole........

It's like the idea of being self sufficient. On a singular scale it is impossible to be self sufficient because you would have to make your own house, grow and raise your own food, treat all your own ills and even argue with yourself..... I'd be good on the last part but then the other voice would probably say I wasn't self suff at arguing.......

[cocobelle]

Quite interesting, beats rubbishy talent shows and celebrities patting each other on the back en masse any day.

[flowertotmum]

Quite interesting, beats rubbishy talent shows and celebrities patting each other on the back en masse any day.

AGREED...would love to be able to do that..must be refreshing..to have the freedom of no bills ..but like everyone has said he got his wallet and cards back..so its not really real...wouldnt they be in trouble if he starved or froze to death...
By the way i really hate x-factor,BGT, and those bloody dancing ones...give me a gardening prog anyday...