I just came across an interesting article about Daniel Suelo, an American who has been living without money since 2000. The article offers a brief and accessible biography. Suelo also has a blog and there is also a short documentary on him. I think this would be an interesting way to bring up issues of consumerism, wealth and poverty.
Other resources that could be used in activities looking at alternatives economies are Freecycle and freeconomy.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Chris Adams // Jul 29, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Hi, interesting stuff here, do you think it would be equally possible in Europe?
I’m not sure you can run a blog for free here, but i only know know about my local library in that respect.
I got the feeling when i was in America that it was much easier to salvage things than it is here.
There was an interesting article in the guardian recently, about “Freegans” which seems to link with your post.
You can find it here.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/19/freegan-environment-food
2 Dave // Jul 29, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Running a blog for free is easy. It’s getting the internet access for free that is tricky.
3 chris // Jul 30, 2009 at 6:19 am
Yes, sorry, i was unclear – i meant the access.
I don’t think that here in France the library offers such a service.
4 Dave // Jul 30, 2009 at 6:47 am
Interesting!
Most universities (I think) now require logging in in their labs, so I think libraries are probably the best bet here.
By the way, Chris, I really like your blog. The tone is great, and really engaging!
5 chris // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:49 am
Thanks Dave for the encouragement, you are doing a great job here yourself.
6 Karenne Sylvester // Aug 4, 2009 at 1:17 am
It’s an interesting topic to bring up in class, along with things like world poverty issues (related to your geography map post) however most of our students will agree that money is necessary and usually none of them want to live like hobos.
I guess most of us are just looking for some level of balance – a good way to use this in class might be comparing Daniel Suelo and the Fortune 500 list of people and asking in which ways the different people attain happiness.+
Happy B-day Dave!
Karenne
7 ShellTerrell // Aug 4, 2009 at 1:32 am
Dave,
I will be sharing this article with my adult English language learners to spark discussion. I think that poverty and hunger and access to technology are issues relevant to every classroom and part of socially responsible curriculums.
Happy Birthday!
8 Dave // Aug 4, 2009 at 6:11 am
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
And I’d love to hear how this goes with your class, Shelly. Please let us know!
Thanks!
Dave
9 chris // Nov 2, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hi seems that it’s happening everywhere.
Here is an article from the guardian newspaper in England (nov)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2009/nov/02/cashless-man-responds
10 michael dickinson // Feb 16, 2010 at 5:54 am
WORLD STRIKE 2012
If you agree that the abolition of money would be a fine solution to most of our problems, and that we could create a much better system where EVERYTHING – food and drink, clothing and housing, water, heating, education, health-care and entertainment – shall be FREE for EVERYONE – why not join the World-Wide Strike on the opening day of the Olympic Games in 2012?
The Strike will begin the moment the symbolic Olympic flame is lit – the signal for all who support the abolition of money to stop work and demand a new fair world of true freedom and justice.
WE WANT A MONEYLESS WORLD
Pass it on.
11 nick // Oct 24, 2010 at 11:25 am
The 2012 World strike to abolish money
Economic and spiritual revolution
To create
A world
Of
Free Access
Simply and peacefully done.
The strike starts when the Olympic torch is lit for the 2012 Olympic games.
We will return to work when
All monetary units are made Illegal
All statutes made null and void
A return to common law
We will return to work not for money but for goodwill, co-operation and the freedom and betterment of al l human kind.
We will return to work using the existing systems [while it suits us] but transforming and making those systems free and more fair.
We will make it our priority
That all human beings have access to adequate shelter, foods and health care
We will uphold the common law
On the return to work
If you do not have work to go to [i.e. you were in the finance industry] , or you do not wish to return to your work, do not worry . You are now free. Free to jump on a jet plane, free to visit friends and family, free to party.
Everything will be free
Every human being on the planet will be free.
Free from the fear of poverty, hunger, lack of shelter and lack of health care.
There will be no sweat shops, no child labour, no drug cartels, no landlords, no fear of government agencies
Travel will be free, shelter will be free, health care will be free, food will be free, every thing will be free
For every human being on the planet
All lawful human beings will be free.
You will uphold the common law
To be honourable
Not to harm others
Not to steal from others
Not to deceive others
We will all be free
Strike, strike, strike, strike
Make common sense and common law prevail
After the strike, if you have no work to go to and you wish to work then offer your services to front line services.
Front line services to include ;
Production and distribution of food stuff.
Providing health and social care.
Upholding the common law.
Builders, poets, mechanics , experimenters, scientists, shop keepers, law enforcers, carers , thinkers, researchers, peace keepers, statisticians, programmers , co-ordinators, teachers, doctors, nurses, minstrels, artists, farmers, drivers , pilots
We are all free
The revolution is here
Union representation tab neighbourhood strike co-ordinators tab
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