The rogue flea market is based on an interesting concept that contrasts
greatly in comparison with our capitalistic economy and societal norms. And some feel the event should take place
in every town because of its success rate and ease of execution.
For
those of you who don’t know, it is an exchange of sorts, and everything is
free! Following the saying that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” people bring anything and everything
that they don’t want anymore to the free market, and exchange it for something they want and need. Anything is game – from old furniture to an old scrap of jewelry.
Here in Buffalo, the first free market extravaganza took
place earlier in May, and another one is expected to go off on this Saturday,
June 6th, in Johnson Park, starting at noon.
Organizers of the free market say that their idea is to hold them on the
first Saturday of each month after the first was such a success!
People
lined up with carloads and trucks full of things to drop off at the free
market. Some also took some things
in exchange, others did not, the decision is yours to make. The idea for the free market was tinged with anarchy, so the less control, the better! “No one was told what to do or how to
do it,” said Henry, one of the organizers. “No one presented any requirements. Everyone cooperated.”
There
is absolutely no trade of money.
All exchanges are taken place between products and other products. And you don’t HAVE to bring something
in order to take something.
“The
Really Really Free Market is an example of a gift economy, where people freely
give what they are able to and are able to freely take what is offered, with no
supervision or requirements,” Henry said.
“This seems to be a more open form of interaction than we are currently
used to. How often do large groups of strangers freely share what they own?” That is a good question, and the answer
is probably fewer than most people would expect with today’s society with the
acceptance of money for goods rather than bartering as happened in the olden
days.
The
Really Really Free Market also isn’t only about the exchange of goods, but can
also be about the exchange of knowledge.
At the hosting of the event in Buffalo, someone brought a truck full of
old broken bikes, and someone else went home to get their tools and fix them to
distribute them to some people in the neighborhood, mostly kids. At one of these events in Portland,
Oregon, someone taught a group of people how to weave baskets using grass from
the park where the event was held.
Although
the event was such a success and there weren’t too many things left over, what
was left was donated to a local charitable organization, so it is good all
around and works out for everyone!
Come out and support this great idea and get a break from the societal
norms!