MassRefinement 06: Social Currency

In a world where the economic situation is looking grimmer and grimmer every day, we think there may be room for an alternative currency. Even in financially safe Norway. In countries where the unemployment rates are rising and welfare and pensions are being reduced, social currency can offer an alternative in peoples' daily life. An alternative that can create community and where investments are your assets, time and efforts, as well as your willingness to help out other people.

In Oslo the situation isn't so financially bleak, but most of us who live here can agree that our community feeling could improve. As anywhere else, there are people who live in financially challenging situation, but that doesn't mean they don't have something to contribute with. If you take money out of the equation what would happen?

There are many services that utilizes social currency, and peer to peer trading and interaction, to enhance, facilitate and create a community around their specific service. The most obvious example is Timebanking, where members earn credits for each hour they spend helping other members of the community. The members of Timebanks trade all kinds of services, like gardening, tutoring, child care, home repair, delivery and much more.

Another service which make use of this concept is Couchsurfing. No money changes hands, but the more good references you get, or the more you let people surf your couch, the more likely it is that people would want to have you as a couchsurfer.

We want to explore the whole concept of Social Currency with you, and specifically how we can bring it to our community here in Oslo. We hope you will join us for some interesting conversation! Bring a bit of cash if you'd like to have a few beers and hotdogs. See you at the Pop Up Hub!

Join the MassRefinement event on Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/events/157393757710955/