“What’s Stoppin’ The Startin’? [Reflections On C Stapleton & PC Richman's Book Barter, N.Y.: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978 - Chapter 1]
She says it’s wants and needs which drive
Our barter-actions – to survive;
But Moorish lady says not so –
It’s social side which makes it go.And that says, “Social network” now,
Especially here ’midst wheat and cows;
How different that’s from “Driving need
And want” commercial sellers feed.If social life is what we miss
Here in this empty wilderness,
Yet we’ve accounts on Internet,
What’s stopping starting? Nothing – yet –We haven’t got community;
There’s nothing to “Assess for needs”;
Alone amidst a peopled world,
Perhaps we’ve difference just unfurled.Decide if you want people to
Approach and hang around with you;
If so, make advertising read,
“Let’s barter to together be”.Don’t let the “Money-saving” role
Become your barter-trading goal,
If really goal’s your people-thing –
Let social side new life begin.Not only “Basics” you can learn,
But “Basics use to bridges burn”
Behind you to a life of need,
When it’s become enslaving greed.But more than that, disciple folks,
With geometric down-line spokes –
Four, twelve, then seven-two, and on,
As couples pass your way along.Thanks Lord for this.
navigation