A gift economy is an economic system in which the prevalent mode of exchange is for goods and services to be given without explicit agreement upon a quid pro quo (the Latin term for the concept of “a favor for a favor”). Typically, this occurs in a cultural context where there is an expectation either of reciprocation—in the form of goods or services of comparable value, or of political support, general loyalty, honor to the giver, etc.—or of the gift being passed on in some other manner. This can be considered a form of reciprocal altruism. In other cases, gifting is done without implicit expectation of reciprocation (“Gift Economy“, 2007).
Here’s the Question of the Week (QotW):
- After reading “The Economies of Online Cooperation” by Kollack (1999), identify an “economy” that you participate in (or with which you are at least familiar), and show that it is a gift economy. Examples include: Photographic Societies, Anime Groups, Car Tuning Enthusiasts, Sports Fan Clubs, Open Source Projects and so much more!
- Cite facts from the Kollack article (1999), including at least two additional sources from this week’s readings or from external peer-reviewed sources.
- Make a specific argument in 700 words (proper written English), supported with at least three APA-style citations.
- Start the title of your blog post as “QotW4: _____”
- Drop a comment here with a permalink to your blog post.
Deadline
Extended to 10th Feb, Saturday, 5pm
(Warning: Late work will not be graded)
Readings
A gift economy is an economic system in which goods and services are given, rather than traded. For our present generation, the Internet has naturally allowed for the development of several gift economies.
Gift Economies
- The Economies of Online Cooperation: Gifts and Public Goods in Cyberspace (Kollack, 1999)
- The Political Economy of Commons
- The Hi-tech Gift Economy by Richard Barbrook(First Monday)
Many kinds of Gift Economies, this is an example:
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Optional
Creative Commons

February 6, 2007 at 5:28 pm |
Note to Kevin/classmateys: the Open Source Wikipedia link seems a little outdated. Apparently it was “merged” with the following URL, although I don’t see anything obvious of such a nature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source
February 6, 2007 at 10:01 pm |
As to note to what Renhao saw, Wikipedia articles are always in-flux, and as such, sometimes articles are merged or separated according to how contributors to that page vote on it. It doesn’t mean that it is invalid and is usually still usable as a citation.
I do caution that as Wikipedia articles can change daily or even hourly, it’s credibility as a academic citation is always in question. To be on the safe side, educators like myself recommend that you use Wikipedia as a starting point for research, NEVER as an ending point. That is, it’s better if you use the references mentioned in the Wikipedia, rather than the Wikipedia article itself.
If you have more questions, do ask me in person as it’ll be easier to show what I mean.
February 7, 2007 at 1:53 pm |
here’s the gift… i finally posted my 3rd blog assignment! hope its right
The Gift: http://pam-mylittleblackdress.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-it-is-better-to-give-than-to.html
February 7, 2007 at 6:10 pm |
DONEDED!!!!!
http://ironiesofwhatis.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-id-quot-circumiret-circumveniat.html
February 7, 2007 at 9:31 pm |
really have too many assignments to do…. i am drowning but anyway i hope this is right… i killed a few thousand brain cells for this…
http://raverantramble.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-sharing-is-caring-e-gift.html
February 7, 2007 at 11:45 pm |
And the race is on!
http://jons-ashes.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-eye-for-eye-tit-for-tat-and-all.html
February 8, 2007 at 2:34 am |
done with qotw4
February 8, 2007 at 5:52 pm |
Here’s qotw 4
February 8, 2007 at 6:42 pm |
http://felsong125.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-spreading-cheer-escaping-jeers.html
February 8, 2007 at 10:01 pm |
http://grahamchoo.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-share-some-love.html
February 8, 2007 at 10:47 pm |
I have completed the assignment. Hope it is ok. See http://yepp-itstartsinthemind.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-free-gifts-from-market.html
February 9, 2007 at 1:54 am |
http://longmaneric.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4free-free-free.html
February 9, 2007 at 1:55 am |
this is my wrk….finalli done!
http://com125lo.blogspot.com
February 9, 2007 at 2:45 am |
here you go.
http://knightinrustyarmour.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-of-giving-and-receiving.html
February 9, 2007 at 2:46 am |
http://lolaloleia.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy.html
February 9, 2007 at 4:41 am |
u get my temperture rising! so much to read. however much, im done
http://benbasket.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy.html
February 9, 2007 at 11:11 am |
Here’s my post!
http://samantha125.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-no-such-thing-as-free-lunch-get.html
February 9, 2007 at 12:42 pm |
my work is done! Take care!
http://atheneyuugi.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotwd4-free-riders-on-posting-forums.html
February 9, 2007 at 2:06 pm |
And so I tried to get that book like an idiot and it doesn’t seem to exist in this part of the world. Referring to “The Gift” here.
February 9, 2007 at 3:03 pm |
The Gift:
http://i-mandy.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy-future-tense-of-i.html
February 9, 2007 at 6:02 pm |
my week 4’s assignment: http://in-cognoscible.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-online-gift-economies-paying-it.html
February 9, 2007 at 6:19 pm |
This week’s assignment
http://leeyaanaa-liyana.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-i-give-you-take-you-give-i-take.html#links
February 9, 2007 at 6:27 pm |
http://amadshow.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-my-little-community.html
February 9, 2007 at 8:28 pm |
HERE’S MY LINK
http://shalom11.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-internet-economies-and-you.html
February 9, 2007 at 10:17 pm |
Here it is
)
http://eubegoh.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-multiply.html#links
February 9, 2007 at 10:50 pm |
Sent it with gifts!
http://velveteden.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-to-give-and-to-indirectly-receive.html
February 9, 2007 at 11:16 pm |
http://space-action-hero.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy-in-online-game-clan.html
February 9, 2007 at 11:18 pm |
Hi, here’s my post. Thanks for reading!
http://amateur-blogger-carol.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-magic-of-gift-economies.html
February 10, 2007 at 12:04 am |
Ah infine! È rifinito!
http://internet125.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw-listserv-as-gift-economy.html
February 10, 2007 at 12:36 am |
http://somethingborrowedsomethingblue.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-pay-it-forward.html
February 10, 2007 at 12:44 am |
hopefully this is better than the 2nd!
http://hema125.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-internet-economies-and-you.html
February 10, 2007 at 2:05 am |
Here’s to hoping I did this one right.
http://baklhx.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economies-is-it-really-true.html
February 10, 2007 at 2:06 am |
i come bearing GIFTS!
http://travisismyapollo.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-i-come-bearing-gifts.html
February 10, 2007 at 2:10 am |
Link to the gift : http://cheillalala.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-better-to-give-than-to-receive.html
have a nice weekend
February 10, 2007 at 2:14 am |
this week’s assignment
February 10, 2007 at 2:20 am |
http://juststoning.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-free-and-out-there.html
February 10, 2007 at 2:59 am |
Okay…I’m close to fallin on my keyboard..but the work is done!! Yay..
here’s my link: http://www.com125bazzar.blogspot.com
February 10, 2007 at 3:26 am |
here’s this weeks assignment
February 10, 2007 at 4:01 am |
-phew-
here it is~!
http://yingy-forsch.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-santa-blogger.html
February 10, 2007 at 4:13 am |
my “gift” to you
-___-
http://nanacabana.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-i-give-therefore-i-take.html
February 10, 2007 at 4:30 am |
and again I say… Phew!!!
http://mihiris.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4missing-out.html
February 10, 2007 at 5:02 am |
Here it is: http://andreosity.blogspot.com/2007/02/dont-we-all-love-free-gift-nevertheless.html
February 10, 2007 at 5:25 am |
Done!! Can i sleep now?
http://zaweeeya.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-pass-it-forward.html
February 10, 2007 at 7:53 am |
QotW4
http://astoldbydee.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-internetcookies-yumm.html
February 10, 2007 at 8:08 am |
um.. finally done!
http://inshockingpink.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4.html
February 10, 2007 at 10:54 am |
here is my assignment…
February 10, 2007 at 11:27 am |
http://sabishi-cat.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy.html
can be betta, coz i’m drained dry.
February 10, 2007 at 12:53 pm |
Here’s mine…
http://fudzyisnoblogger.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw-4-gift-economy.html
February 10, 2007 at 1:01 pm |
http://vahlahweeeee.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-its-for-free-come-and-get-it.html
What a relief…=P
February 10, 2007 at 1:15 pm |
http://mystar-viva.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy-flowerpod.html
February 10, 2007 at 1:28 pm |
http://janey-the-baney.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gifts.html
February 10, 2007 at 1:52 pm |
heres my assignment hope its right: http://rekyjos.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-eye-for-eye-makes-whole-world.html
February 10, 2007 at 2:08 pm |
Done!
http://mellieleong.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-to-give-and-not-to-receive-is.html
February 10, 2007 at 2:23 pm |
done
http://charlotteng.blogspot.com/
February 10, 2007 at 2:30 pm |
Dunnit!
February 10, 2007 at 2:51 pm |
It’s finally done!!!
Here’s the link:
http://jaslilparadise.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-taking-what-you-need.html
February 10, 2007 at 3:19 pm |
DONE!!! phew… here u go!
http://intheirdarkenedshrine.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-of-giving.html
Btw, Mr.Kevin you might wanna take a look at my previous post, I think you’re gonna like what I put up.
http://intheirdarkenedshrine.blogspot.com/2007/02/web-20-is-using-us.html
February 10, 2007 at 3:22 pm |
http://tequilapinkrose.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-animesuki-and-me.html
Thankew…
February 10, 2007 at 3:23 pm |
Permalink:
http://wyactuallythinks.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-give-and-take-economy-you-give-i.html
February 10, 2007 at 3:37 pm |
http://juliusethan.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economies-wha.html
February 10, 2007 at 3:55 pm |
Here’s the permalink to my assignment :
http://moomoocowhugspigpigoink.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-gift-economy.html
Thanks!
February 10, 2007 at 4:06 pm |
here it is…..
http://eelin10.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-online-gift-economies.html
February 10, 2007 at 4:08 pm |
http://centsability.blogspot.com/2007_02_04_archive.html
here you go…:D
February 10, 2007 at 4:09 pm |
Running a 38.3 degrees fever after doing this, please be nice
http://quizzicalcharms.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-good-it-samaritians.html
February 10, 2007 at 4:12 pm |
It’s done!
February 10, 2007 at 4:33 pm |
http://zhi-zhi-125.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-i-am-fan-of-ellen-degeneres-show.html
There you go!!
February 10, 2007 at 4:37 pm |
my permalink!
http://backdropublicity.blogspot.com/2007/02/qotw4-internet-economies-and-you.html
February 10, 2007 at 4:43 pm |
my permalink
http://surrealdejavu.wordpress.com/2007/02/10/qotw4-gift-economy/
Nashrin
February 10, 2007 at 4:49 pm |
link….
sick at here, so sorry if the assignment is messy
http://marianichen.blogspot.com/
February 10, 2007 at 4:49 pm |
link….
sick at here, so sorry if the assignment is such a messy
http://marianichen.blogspot.com/
February 10, 2007 at 4:50 pm |
Gift economies.
February 10, 2007 at 4:53 pm |
Hi. Heres my assignment. thanks.
February 10, 2007 at 4:54 pm |
Mine!!!
February 11, 2007 at 1:06 am |
Here’s the link of the car forum i was talking about…
February 12, 2007 at 11:35 pm |
Sorry, Mr Kevin, I did post a permalink in the comments section. I’ve checked. Maybe there is some technical problems. Would you kindly update me if you still could not see it so that the next time I post a comment, I will know whether or not it is posted. Thank you.
February 19, 2008 at 12:31 pm |
[...] as a form of social currency in an online community. If you’re interested, here are the reading materials I assigned back in Feb 2007. Readership () [...]