"These types of sharing and swapping systems aren't all that different from the way society worked through the mid-20th century"
The truth is, this is PROBABLY a GOOD THING!
That's why it is a Slow Saturday Special!
"Financial woes push some neighbors to buy, share gear" by Caryn Rousseau, Associated Press | May 23, 2009
CHICAGO - This example of neighbors sharing an item is part of a trend as the economy worsens, specialists say. People are turning to sharing and trading - using community toy, bicycle, and tool libraries, swapping vegetables online or checking out exotic cake pans from libraries, instead of buying their own.
These types of sharing and swapping systems aren't all that different from the way society worked through the mid-20th century.
Rob Anderson in Portland, Ore., launched the website Veggietrader.com, which allows registered users to sell, buy, or trade fresh produce: "People are looking for ways to save money. If you have too many tomatoes and you have too many oranges, wouldn't it be great if we can meet each other?"
[The] individualistic attitude worked fine until the economic downturn....
"Sharing only means that you have to buy less and I have to buy less," Jeff Ferrell, a sociology professor at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth who studies sharing networks, said. "Sharing also knits communities together. Sharing is good for social life."
Then why is the American system designed to divide us all -- or being used as such?
While the economy may improve in the coming months, such cultural changes could remain, specialists say....
