Reply #59: Hmmm. It seems I still haven't gotten my head around the idea of gift economies. [View All]

[GliderGuider]

The notion of hierarchy is apparently so deeply ingrained in my worldview that when I read your comment I felt like a fish being asked to see the water. Even as I rail against hierarchies I still automatically assume that "greater" and "lesser" talents must be arranged on a value scale in order for people to be happy. As you point out, that's manifestly not true. This defines one of the big differences between the "Takers" and the "Leavers" as Daniel Quinn defines them.

That was quite a startling experience. Thank you for making it so clear!

On edit: The more I sit with this experience, the more profound it becomes. I just talked about it with my fiance, who is way ahead of me on this stuff. She got it instantly, and mentioned William Morris' "News from Nowhere". She also said that one main piece of psychological growth needs to be accomplished to make it possible. That piece involves overcoming our urge to judge each other. She calls it "getting rid if the tyranny of should".

Thanks again. You've given me a great gift tonight.