What would you barter in a cash less society?

[Lmik]

Carrying on from the monopoly money thread after my attempts to hijack it failed.

What would you have to offer (and how would your current employer pay you) in a world the same as this one except that there is no money - no dollars no euro no yen - just goods and services.

I work in a chocolate factory would would expect to get paid in chocolate - I probably earn about 10kg per hour.

What have you got to swap for my 10kg of chocolate?

[Limper]

I work in IT at a Brokerage... with no cash in the world I'd have to find a new gig.

[nerfherder]

What have you got to swap for my 10kg of chocolate?
I can write some SQL for you (or alternatively, design you a large database).

[Varaj]

I would act as a barter exchange system. People would bring goods to me and tell me what they wanted. I would then hold onto it and use it trade goods back and forth until I could get what they wanted. I would take a small cut for conducting the trade. I would also starting handing out markers that would let people make trades directly with each other using my markers only knowing they could bring them to me to get what they specifically need.

Yes I am serious.

[AZRogue]

Hmm. Since I am mostly specialized in keeping large EMRs (Electronic Medical Records systems) running for affiliated medical practices and hospitals, I don't know what I could barter. I figure I'd be paid in free medical care. Maybe I'd get enough medical care "time" to give some away to pay for my beer and bread.

[AZRogue]

I would act as a barter exchange system. People would bring goods to me and tell me what they wanted. I would then hold onto it and use it trade goods back and forth until I could get what they wanted. I would take a small cut for conducting the trade. I would also starting handing out markers that would let people make trades directly with each other using my markers only knowing they could bring them to me to get what they specifically need.

Yes I am serious.

In other words, YOU would be the new economy. You frickin dirty slick bastard. :)

[Singularity]

Sex!

[Pigs in Space]

Seeing as I work for a medium sized company making test platforms for embedded software... and all our customers are international...

I'd be fucked.

So I'd have to fo rm a splinter cell within the company to hire our services out, to have bulk food shipped here or some shit. Really, I'd much rather trade our services for Varaj's markers. ;) Hell, I'd get in on it with him.


Either that or I could sell photo's of my poo or something. People will buy anything.

[Pigs in Space]

Sex!

What would you do after you ran out of food and lost your house?

[Lady Fury]

Sex!

What about all those nasty diseases you could catch?



I have a lot I could barter. I have skills in crafting things like clothing, furniture, etc... My animal skills could be bartered for farmers and such. I could get food that way. I have above basic carpentry skills so if I had to I could do odd jobs around peoples home for what ever they had to trade.

I think I'd be ok in a bartering market. :)

[Singularity]

What about all those nasty diseases you could catch?

THat's what I'd be offering in return - I'd be giving all those nasty diseases a good home.

[Name Lips]

Is there need in this new world order for technical writing? I'll write you technical documents for your... um... for your chocolate. Looks like we have nobody else here who works in the food industry, so it's all chocolate all the time.

Seriously, though, the only thing I have worth trading in a barter socity is my physical labor. None of my other abilities or skills produce anything tangable.

Hopefully I could find some way to barter for chickens, and seeds, and get some of my own food going to eat/trade. I'll have to start treating my garden seriously instead of letting it die every year when it starts to get hot.

[AZRogue]

The best thing to do, probably, would be to periodically steal markers from Varaj.

[Lmik]

I would definitely trade you chocolate directly for medical checkups AZ Rogue. You should be able to amass more medical time than you could use for yourself and your family.

Singularity - I would want to see some pictures first.

There should still be a use for technical skills as I am assuming that all the worlds technology still exists except for currency and it seems that Varaj is busily inventing that almost immediately - but would you trust a man with an avatar like that?

[shiningbrow]

I would act as a barter exchange system. People would bring goods to me and tell me what they wanted. I would then hold onto it and use it trade goods back and forth until I could get what they wanted. I would take a small cut for conducting the trade. I would also starting handing out markers that would let people make trades directly with each other using my markers only knowing they could bring them to me to get what they specifically need.

Yes I am serious.

Varaj, you are a genius.

[Ergeheilalt]

As an engineer, I could build you stuff in exchange for stuff. You name the system, I probably have a general idea of how it works and enough know-how and current resources to implement small scale projects. It would be tough and either I'd be a great success or end up a tinker.

[Hatter]

Clearly the best option is to work for Varaj....

[Black Angel]

I guess I would continue in my job as a pharmacist. I guess people would pay for that with whatever skills/goods they could provide & I presume my boss would pay me in pharmacy goods. I would expect Lmik to pay me in chocolate. He could get a lot of goods for chocolate in my workplace I'm sure!

I have to wonder how the majority of my customers could pay me though. They are elderly and not able to do many of their former activities...

[Caliphis]

I would barter my metalworking skills. and starve to death in about six weeks.

[Singularity]

So far lots of takers on Varaj's scheme, some takers on Lmik's chocolate, but nobody wants my sex? What's wrong with you people? Can't you see what a valuable commodity I offer?

[Ink Bleeder]

I would barter my metalworking skills. and starve to death in about six weeks.

I call bullshit.

The vibrators alone would keep you in luxury.

[Ink Bleeder]

If there's no need to tech writing, I'd have to rely on my (very amaturish) knitting and (extremely amaturish) gardening and canning.

This is actually one of the reasons I decided to learn how to knit.

. . . hmmm. . . I'd probably be better off reading Tarot cards and doing astrology charts. There will ALWAYS be unhappy and impatient people. Hell, if I throw in charms and potions, I'll be set for life.

[Ergeheilalt]

I would barter my metalworking skills. and starve to death in about six weeks.

I'd use you as a contractor. I mean, you can weld nice clean lines, right? That's better than what I learned on the Rose Float haha.

[Caliphis]

If by weld you mean "put two hot pieces of metal together and hammer the shit out of them until they are one piece of metal" then yes, I can weld great.

[Name Lips]

But we'll have all the plowshares. :D

[Lady Fury]

If there's no need to tech writing, I'd have to rely on my (very amaturish) knitting and (extremely amaturish) gardening and canning.

This is actually one of the reasons I decided to learn how to knit.

. . . hmmm. . . I'd probably be better off reading Tarot cards and doing astrology charts. There will ALWAYS be unhappy and impatient people. Hell, if I throw in charms and potions, I'll be set for life.

We could team up together and provide a valuable service for the community. We'd be able to keep them fed and clothed so they'd be comfortable enough to barter luxury services during their free time.

Oh I just thought of something else. I could offer massages in exchange for chocolate. :D

[AZRogue]

Actually, I suppose I do have one other skill: I can make cosmetics. I worked at Revlon for some time and before I was a line supervisor I used to prep, mix, and package the bulk used to make the products. I only know how to make lipstick, foundation, and eyeliner, but it's something.

I'll paint Sing all up and give him an edge.




For FREE though. He, er, doesn't have to pay me with his <cough> product in return. :o

[Varaj]

Actually, I suppose I do have one other skill: I can make cosmetics. I worked at Revlon for some time and before I was a line supervisor I used to prep, mix, and package the bulk used to make the products. I only know how to make lipstick, foundation, and eyeliner, but it's something.

I'll paint Sing all up and give him an edge.




For FREE though. He, er, doesn't have to pay me with his <cough> product in return. :o

You so need to change your name to AZRouge.

[Name Lips]

Emerald says she'll run a daycare.

[Iron Jenny Kidd]

Clearly the best option is to work for Varaj....

Agreed. I could run his east coast division.

[Bregh]

.

[Brynja]

I would trade in my intellect (tutoring rich brats) and trade in artisan jewelry.

[Scarbonac]

Weed, Balloon Wine, Child Slaves...

[Scutisorex Shrewlord]

My dick in your ass.

[Sobek]

But we'll have all the plowshares. :D
I have swords and guns, too. I've been told by several people that I'm the first guy, in terms of capability, that they want in their camp in a fight. I was also a political science major (even if I rarely use it around here) and have done lots of public speaking. If things got really bad, I'm going tribal warlord.

If we're talking only a slight downgrade, then I've got computer skills or construction skills (electrical and carpentry).

[AZRogue]

You so need to change your name to AZRouge.

This reminds me: I've been working on a device that will let a person kick someone in the junk over the internet. I have, today, decided to throw all of my energy behind this project. :grey:

[doc]

I could fix your AC for you but you'ld have to give me something for the parts

[doc]

This reminds me: I've been working on a device that will let a person kick someone in the junk over the internet. I have, today, decided to throw all of my energy behind this project. :grey:

Wasn't there something a few years ago like a remote vibrator that someone could "turn on" another via cyber sex ?

[Lady Fury]

My dick in your ass.

I think Singularity already volunteered this kind of service. Do we really need two people providing the same thing? :tongue:

[Scutisorex Shrewlord]

I think Singularity already volunteered this kind of service. Do we really need two people providing the same thing? :tongue:

That depends. As Barry Gibb would say, "how deep is your love?":tongue:

[Sobek]

I think Singularity already volunteered this kind of service. Do we really need two people providing the same thing? :tongue:
I thought Singularity was volunteering his ass for dick. That's complimentary services. :D

[Lady Fury]

That depends. As Barry Gibb would say, "how deep is your love?":tongue:

Not that deep. :boggle:

[Lady Fury]

I thought Singularity was volunteering his ass for dick. That's complimentary services. :D

Oh I must have misunderstood his sentiments. Well then that's a completely different situation. I'll pimp him out so I can take my cut. :tongue:

[Ancalagon]

I'm a toxicologist and a swordsman, I'm sure I would come up with something :P

[Lady Fury]

I'm a toxicologist and a swordsman, I'm sure I would come up with something :P

Note to self: Stay far, far away from Ancalagon if the world comes down to a bartering system. :ahhh:

[Badwednesday]

I've held a wide variety of jobs, so I'd have some options. I can cook pretty well, so I could go into the food business. I've also worked for a company that dealt with problem wildlife in urban settings. Now that I think of it, I could just do both and cut down on my overhead..... :D

[Badwednesday]

I thought Singularity was volunteering his ass for dick. That's complimentary services. :D

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o68/badwednesday/subtext.jpg

[Brynja]

I'm a toxicologist and a swordsman, I'm sure I would come up with something :P

we could go into the poison ring business!

[Kyllikki]

If i were stuck in a city (and hopefully the same city as Varaj ;)) i hope that chemistry would come in handy. I wouldn't be able to synthesize actual medicines from scratch, but at least i could grab as much from local pharmacies and stockpile it for the future. And then my basic home repair/electicity/plumbing skills would assist in building refrigeration to keep the less stable compounds safe for a few years. I suppose my basic knowledge of home repair would also be barterable.

I'd fare much better in a rural/isolated setting though. Hunting, trapping, fishing, building shelter, curing hides, tanning skin, chopping wood, etc, and hopefully i'd be set for life as we rebuilt. The chemistry would come in handly but mostly i'd be attending to the basics that a lot of people were never taught as kids.

[Sobek]

If i were stuck in a city (and hopefully the same city as Varaj ;)) i hope that chemistry would come in handy. I wouldn't be able to synthesize actual medicines from scratch, but at least i could grab as much from local pharmacies and stockpile it for the future. And then my basic home repair/electicity/plumbing skills would assist in building refrigeration to keep the less stable compounds safe for a few years. I suppose my basic knowledge of home repair would also be barterable.

I'd fare much better in a rural/isolated setting though. Hunting, trapping, fishing, building shelter, curing hides, tanning skin, chopping wood, etc, and hopefully i'd be set for life as we rebuilt. The chemistry would come in handly but mostly i'd be attending to the basics that a lot of people were never taught as kids.
Care to join my nascent fiefdom?

[Lady Fury]

If i were stuck in a city (and hopefully the same city as Varaj ;)) i hope that chemistry would come in handy. I wouldn't be able to synthesize actual medicines from scratch, but at least i could grab as much from local pharmacies and stockpile it for the future. And then my basic home repair/electicity/plumbing skills would assist in building refrigeration to keep the less stable compounds safe for a few years. I suppose my basic knowledge of home repair would also be barterable.

I'd fare much better in a rural/isolated setting though. Hunting, trapping, fishing, building shelter, curing hides, tanning skin, chopping wood, etc, and hopefully i'd be set for life as we rebuilt. The chemistry would come in handly but mostly i'd be attending to the basics that a lot of people were never taught as kids.

I could help you out with the synthesis of medicines, at least antibiotics. I know how to make those successfully since that is what I do 90% of the time at my current job.

[Name Lips]

Lady Fury has just become very important in the New KT Order.

[Kyllikki]

I could help you out with the synthesis of medicines, at least antibiotics. I know how to make those successfully since that is what I do 90% of the time at my current job.

I know HOW to make them, since that's my job too.

But if society fell, not only is manufacturing a giant, electricity sucking process, as you well know, but without people to man the plants we'd be stuck doing the synthesis on a 2 person scale - not big enough to make enough of any given medicine to effectively treat anyone for anything. Plus there's the whole lack of GMP/GLP facilities.

Which is why i'd just stockpile the existing stuff and hope it gets us through until either the catastrophe decimated the population, or society rebuilt. But until that happened, there would be a lot of deaths from simple infections, unless each isolated pocket of survivors had someone like you or me to find the medicines and store them appropriately.

So i feel our resources would be better spent saving existing stocks, rather than making new ones. I guess if an entire manufacturing plant with trained personel survived, then resource management would take a different path. (Of course, if it's a Viagra scaleup facility, it would have to be kitbashed to turn it into something more useful. Plus, where are the raw materials going to come from? Aldrich will probably not exist either ;))

But i'm assuming i'd be on my own, as far as my skillset being unique to my group. The odds that two of us would end up in the same compound seem small.

[Lady Fury]

I

So i feel our resources would be better spent saving existing stocks, rather than making new ones. I guess if an entire manufacturing plant with trained personel survived, then resource management would take a different path. But i'm assuming i'd be on my own, as far as my skillset being unique to my group. The odds that two of us would end up in the same compound seem small.

I agree. Saving existing stocks would be the better thing to do.

I would only need a handful of mice to continue to make antibiotics. It's the other chemicals to strip the cells and such that would be harder to come by.

Now if you know how to preserve antibiotics for long term storage that would be very helpful.

Edit: I get most of my stuff from Gibco.:tongue:

[Janos]

My best barter skills would be negotiating deals of all sorts. People skills, people, goods, labor, whatever. I'd make a good factor or merchant. I could probably manage a decent lifestyle doing any sort of line management, bartending, or cooking as well.

I married well, my lady can sew, knit, crochet, ride and train horses and dogs, and between the two of us we can identify all the local flora and fauna.

If we can't make a living off those skills legitmately, I own a gun and several functional swords, and have enough hand-to-hand to make a decent lifestyle preying off Sobek's kingdom and steal his peons and their hard labor.

[Sobek]

If we can't make a living off those skills legitmately, I own a gun and several functional swords, and have enough hand-to-hand to make a decent lifestyle preying off Sobek's kingdom and steal his peons and their hard labor.
What part of "tribal warlord" didn't you understand? I'm already going to be preying off them. Get your own fucking serfs.

Unless, of course, you'd like to be a vassal. I'll even give you a march so you can beat the crap out of the people "over there".

[FeatsofClay]

Pottery (Everything form fancy to walter filters)
Paintings
Metal Casting and fabrication
I know livestick pretty darned well
Printing (woodbloc, intaglio, litho, sreen)
Security/firearms
Woodworking
Sculpting
Teaching (art, ballroom dance, HazWopR, Martial Arts, Firearms)

[Janos]

What part of "tribal warlord" didn't you understand? I'm already going to be preying off them. Get your own fucking serfs.

Unless, of course, you'd like to be a vassal. I'll even give you a march so you can beat the crap out of the people "over there".

Hah! Hardly. I'd much rather be the bandit. Besides, it's good PR for you. Feudal Warlords look best when there is a need for their protection services. I'm why they need you.

Frankly, you should be giving me a kickback.

[Janos]

I know livestock pretty darned well

This is what I read. It was much funnier, and would have made you a perfect custom title.

[Name Lips]

I think part of the problem here is in understanding the scenario. Has all the cash in the world magically vanished, leaving us with an intact society but no medium of exchange? Has society collapsed, and we've somehow survived the ensuing chaos to band together and begin a new society? Are we forbidden from reinventing money?

I mean, really. We're D&D players. We can't roleplay without proper flavor text.

[Lmik]

What would you have to offer (and how would your current employer pay you) in a world the same as this one except that there is no money - no dollars no euro no yen - just goods and services.



This was the original proposition but as a firm supporter of thread hijacking it seems that people are having more fun playing a society collapses into the dark ages and that we also lose government and infrastructure.

[Ancalagon]

I think that seriously, I would be driven to try to preserve as much knowledge as I can, and would work very hard at that. I can only hope that some groups (like a village) would agree with my vision and support me doing that.

Spare that then... basic chemistry? I'm sure people would be happy if I made (relatively) safe moonshine for wound disinfection and drinking :P

[FeatsofClay]

This is what I read. It was much funnier, and would have made you a perfect custom title.

It is what I tried to write. I just suck at typing and finding bipedal mates.