On the Crossroad of Self, Market and Society

CEU eTD Collection partial In On the crossroad of Self, Market, and Society and Self, Market, of On thecrossroad

Supervisors: fulfillment of fulfillment the requirements Department of Sociology and SocialAnthropology and Department Sociology of

Central European University Central European

Mih

ă ilescu Vintil dapest, dapest, Hungary

Submitted to Professor Jakob Rigi Jakob Professor Professor Rajaram Kumar Prem 2013 By

for the degree of Master Artsfor of the degree of ă

Mihail

CEU eTD Collection partial In On the crossroad of Self, Market, and Society and Self, Market, of On thecrossroad

Supervisors: fulfillment of fulfillment the requirements A (n)etnography of A (n)etnography Department of Sociology and SocialAnthropology and Department Sociology of

Central European University Central European

Mih

ă ilescu Vintil dapest, dapest, Hungary

Submitted to Professor Jakob Rigi Jakob Professor Professor Prem 2013 By Freecycle

for the degree of Master Artsfor of the degree of ă

Mihail

Kumar Rajaram Kumar in Romania

CEU eTD Collection 1 the feelinggoodgratitude a for of deed‖ cleaner planet the makes it objects, of acquisition or manufacturing the on spent be would otherwise that money and time the Freecycle people renders through ―Recycling planet. our of salvation the to hand a giving not, why and, second become can that objects permit not to usage, in good still are that objects keep To this? of all for purpose The objects. those for need a even not if usage, a have who people and of, rid get to want and anymore u a have not do they which for objects have who people between connections makes that group Yahoo simple a Freecycleis Bucharest. in FreecycleNetwork the ofmembers thousand o end the as away it The Freecyclehandout? Network a with response. pertinent comes give can you when object an away throw Why objects. different of multitude com functional so not or functional or clothes or skis or counter small a Or usage? pre the from Walkman http://www.freecycle.org/ All these offerings of objects do not take place in a mall or in a market somewhere at somewhere market a in or mall a in place take not do objects of offerings these All a with stakes the raises else Someone mathematics. on books twenty offers Somebody f town. They all happen in your email inbox. And in the inboxes of the other few other the of inboxes the in And inbox. email your in happen all They town. f

- digital era. Maybe you need some cat litter or a couch with signs of of signs with couch a or litter cat some need you Maybe era. digital

- hand to end up in the trash, thu trash, the in up end to hand

1 .

Abstract

and induces, in both donators and receivers, receivers, and donators both in induces, and

s minimizing wastefulness, minimizing s puters? A puters? sage sage CEU eTD Collection 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. contents of Table

6.4 6.3 6.2 6.1 5.6 5.5 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.1 References Conclusions Zoom Marginal out: economy Situating Freecycle The field Methodology First Research questions Introduction

A neverending circle The social aspects Theand actors their practices and acquisitionDisposition of second Freecycle Romania TheFreecycle rise of Life ofthe objects steppingWhen ideology outbecomes Stepping Economy contact

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51 49 47 42 40 39 38 38 32 26 21 17 14 13 13

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CEU eTD Collection researchesof material subject and onthe culture cons extensive written have few, a just name to Woodward Ian Miller, Daniel Baudrillard, Jean Holder Ian live in. we society consumerist materialistic, modern, the about truth the realize to market capitalist at the few commercials orlook window, watch a the lookoutside to enough any for individual one. old through means different publicity (from pressure) topeer modelanddiscard tobuy thelast the phone ne mobile day, Every industry. the be would example Another one. old the of repair the with deal to have simple, very not is object an repairing b said as that, seeing And one. new a buy and discard or repair options: two are there situation, this In breaks. furniture of article that where situation the in put be eventually will companies agai other similar or IKEA from over furniture and over public, the by accessible easy are products their means That span. life limited a have that furniture of articles cheap producing simple: is it behind concept The world. the around all spread has that and masses the for furniture least) the be would start increasing. permanently and rapidly is waste consumer

ay eerhr, st researchers, Many post where society, consumer materialistic a as described be can today world The There are thousands and thousands of similar examples all around the world, and it i it and world, the around all examples similar of thousands and thousands are There , 1.

Christopher Tilley in the 1970s the in Tilley Christopher

Introduction KA rdcs A opn ta poue cep cepr hn ot at most, than (cheaper cheap produces that company A products. IKEA w models of phones appear on the market, and people are encouraged encouraged are people and market, the on appear phones of models w

rig ih ay oga, Brian Douglas, Mary with arting

usually people prefer just to buy a new article and not not and article new a buy to just prefer people usually efore, the products are cheap, are products the efore, – 1

1980s, and continuing with Elizabeth Shove, Elizabeth with continuing and 1980s, umption. umption. Let us take a few examples. few a take us Let

Isher . csoe ta buys that customer A n. od Ajn Appadurai, Arjun wood,

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Woodward, 2007, p. 3 2007, Woodward, p. 8 1987, Miller, p. 4 1987, Miller, 1987 Miller, 4 3 In order to better understa better to order In agree all that fact the is researches these between similarity important most The I te od o In odad ―t Woodward, Ian of words the In . ). He also argues that in the context of mass culture and overall mobility, the classic the mobility, overall and culture mass of context the in that argues also He ).

economic structure, and the individual actor. If we think of the material culture of of culture material the of think we If actor. individual the and structure, economic

ches, stores, offices to tools, products, means of production or goods. And the list list the And goods. or production of means products, tools, to offices stores, ches,

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http://www.freecycle.org/ Jankel and Elliot 2009 Kozinets, 1992 Stone, 1977 Goody,

spreading all over the world, from second hand shops to communities of practice like like practice of communities to shops hand second from world, the over all spreading consumption

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Taken Looking Given away: name] [object Giving: name] [object ype of message will be removed, and the one that sen that one the and removed, be will message of ype

: [object name]: [object

for: [object name] for: s an object, it is enough to write it in the title (looking for a bed bed a for (looking title the in it write to enough is it object, an s actually work? actually work?

works on an email platform. Members can ask or offer offer or ask can Members platform. email an on works

t he email should present more details about t about details more present should email he

are no clear rules (different than the ones the than (different rules clear no are

wo years of observation observation of years wo ds

it is risking to be be to risking he CEU eTD Collection the to solution this prefer They for. need a have they that objects the shops hand second care being of mind in idea same the With also theirbudget The ofa hasincreased objects. little. theacquisition same with happens thing here. ends process litt by only if even increasing, thus object, their sell they in, get sell and shop hand second a to go to have on On actions. distinct two are furniture) to clothes (from objects hand second of disposition and bewill treated separately. bet to order In objects. reusing of cycle the of picture bigger a of part both are they hand, other the On habits. and motivations different present that changed isclosedthrough email theanother owner, theentire topic sentgroup. to has object the Once place. take will donation the where and how on information exact offers either question, o an for in demand a to object responded she or the he because about topic the started she or he because (either object an away gives that one the donation: a on agree members two when happens only This everyone. found). be can object the where or lives, giver the where area (the taken be can object(s) the where from place the regarding information with and possible, if pictures with question, in object(s) e hand, people who, for one reason or another, decide to dispose objects that they own,only another,decidethat one todispose objects for reasone or who, hand, people

Let us first take the example of a second hand shop. Here, the processes of acquisition of processes the Here, shop. hand second a of example the take first us Let practices different two are objects hand second of acquisition the and disposition The of types four these in given is information personal No 5.3

Disposition and acquisition of second and acquisition of Disposition The object The

that wasn‘t needed anymore is out of their lives forever, and and forever, lives their of out is anymore needed wasn‘t that them u ihterbde, epe eiet by from buy to decide people budget, their with ful 17

at a (usually) low price to that company. They They company. that to price low (usually) a at

- hand objects bject) chooses who to give it away to and to away it give to who chooses bject) ter understand them, these two practices practices two these them, understand ter

emails that can be seen by by seen be can that emails le, their budget. And the the And budget. their le,

CEU eTD Collection 100 around of point of2 objects permaximum and month a lowest a with month, every donated are objects of group or objects exponentiall risen has donated objects of and the sent emails thus of and number bigger, and bigger become to started has group the 2009, Since small. very on groupwasthe that changeseeingowners,objects to managedthe all not andwere sent,emails 2008, until years, four first the In owner. new a to way their found have email) same the in object one just than more offer usually (members objects of groups said better in means, This network.entire the to sent be emailsto needtwo closed be to topic the and change owner to objects) of group a (or object an for order in before, saw we As sent. emails 14.000 almost every with place take relations donation, and strong sometimes, areeven created. bondsand friendships social characteristic: social a presents also shops, hand f order in face to face meet to have receiver the and donor the Because free. for objects hand second acquire and donate to able be to people for means a platform, a as only acts thus and mind in profit has Thi shops. hand second of case the in than of connected more idea much are the objects of disposition on and acquisition of but processes The donations. transaction, financial a on online), or (real spaces hand second most never relations meet,andnosocial arecreated. object same the of buyer the and seller The place. take transactions the where space hand acq and disposition of practices two these that thing only The reasons. financial for mainly items new of acquisition p o h mmn ti p this moment the to Up h second online an is Network Bucharest Freecycle

theory, that since 2005 when the group was first created, around 7000 objects or objects 7000 around created, first was group the when 2005 since that theory, or the donation to take place, Freecycle Network, as opposed to second to opposed as Network, Freecycle place, take to donation the or uisition of second hand objects have in common is the actual second actual the is common in have objects hand second of uisition aper has been written, on Freecycle Bucharest there were were there Bucharest Freecycle on written, been has aper 25

per month (fig. A) s happens because Freecycle is not a company that company a not is Freecycle because happens s 18

. and space that is not based, like like based, not is that space and

y. Today, around 150 150 around Today, y.

y 250 ly CEU eTD Collection 26 donatedB) (fig.requested and(fig. C). most are that objects of categories the present will charts two next The categories. few a in an object. increaselife of the to desire an orthe object get ridof important example,theneed to than, for less is aspect financial the that suggests also it them, for ask not do and objects away give most Because acquisition. the than Freecycle on aspect important more a is objects hand second of disposition the that suggests This objects. of dispositions represented di for themembers. upto twomembers the―exchange‖. is tomake rest The connection necessary the offers just It objects. those need that ones the by acquired then and dispos to wish who ones the by stored are objects where box deposit a as act not does Freecycle member. another from object particular that of acquisition immediate an requires

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycle_bucuresti/ pstos T gv a eape i 21, u o ams 10 tpc cetd rud 700 around created topics 1000 almost of out 2013, in example, an give To spositions. Freecy through donated objects The represent thirds two than more Freecycle, inside topics existing 7000 the of Out it member, a by disposed is object an when shops, hand second the to opposed As .

2012 2013 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

248 297 110 449 281 Jan

1 7

136 271 274 227 215 Feb

1 9

147 271 240 290 222 Mar 1 2

262 233 186 227 191 Apr 14 1 2 1

May 200 301 227 260 229 10 3 1

cle Network are very diverse, but can be inserted inserted be can but diverse, very are Network cle Fig.A

19 148 247 226 200 309 Jun 2 1 8

179 286 287 193 324 26 Jul 23 4 1 1

Aug 248 257 213 248 25 47 1 1 2

239 349 226 238 Sep 30 2 3

269 334 326 263 Oct 32 1 1 4

Nov 240 285 232 217 45 1 1

223 228 194 218 Dec 27 2

Freecycle users users Freecycle e them them e CEU eTD Collection discussed ar who people be the that offered objects many so will are there because also but further, that reasons different for happening be could This requested. are they Electronicsappliances and andClothes accessories Babies Furniture Cars Toys Music Home Furniture DIY Electronicsappliances and andClothes accessories Written Babies

As we can clearly see, many more categories of objects are offered for donation than donation for offered are objects of categories more many see, clearly can we As

CATEGORY

20 Fig.B Fig. C Toysgames, all and amps,CDs, instruments Furnishing,equipment Household furniture Tools, materials Differentworking devices, orbroke Any type Books, magazines Everything baby Especiallyappliances useful home allagesClothes Everything baby Household furniture Anything related car

DESCRIPTION

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ages

e in need of of need in e

CEU eTD Collection 27 tourist time long ―market‖, of type new this for curiosity initial the after that, say can one words, other In network. the of out kicked be and rules the break to them for impossible quite is it to time long the because And the rules. respect they as long as to access has anybody that community free a is Freecycle that fact the and donate users other that objects of multitude the for curiosity the are t membership reasons main The reason). good no for space their bet (or it for use any have not do and object required the possess they chance by if requests, to respond do theytime to time From donations. own their all at almost and donations to respond not do usually They ―market‖. of type new curiosity.of Freecycle curiositythis havefrom enteredfor outof totime, users out time These to membership twocategories:divided into theshort profiteers. longtime and tourists time first difference hastobe insidersand made (tourists) that theoutsiders isbetweenthe The community. this in involved are that actors the for typologies few a revealed interviews reve to impossible find what they need. usually and emails the browse to have just they requests; own their post to need not do them

Kozinets, 2009 Kozinets, s remain as members out of inertia. ―I entered in 2008, I wanted to know what is all is what know to wanted I 2008, in entered ―I inertia. of out members as remain s h ln tm tuit ae hs ues h, ut ie e n y is to er of years two first my in me like just who, users those are tourists time long The T it makes Network Bucharest Freecycle on research quantitative a of lack The 5.4 he outsiders represent a small part of the Freecycle Bucharest Network and can be be can and Network Bucharest Freecycle the of part small a represent outsiders he

The actorsThe their practices and

the community, prefer to stay behind the scenes and just browse the offers, the browse just and scenes the behind stay to prefer community, the al the demographics of the group. On the other hand, observation and and observation hand, other the On group. the of demographics the al

urists usually do not create their own topics for donations, for topics own their create not do usually urists

ter said ter a die hs ues o ep their keep to users these drive hat

the particular object occupies object particular the

do not offer not do 27 .

CEU eTD Collection on depend not does insider classic The others. by created topics the of browsing the through found not were that objects specific for only but made, are requests time to time From month. The disposal). of need practicalitythe to to economicreasons (from usuallyintertwinedand diverse, veryreasonsare typologies for theinsiders. platform the browse who to, them give to who chose who objects, donate who community, the in involved really are who Ilooked suspiciousso anemail themoderator aboutI., sent to (G. it‖ it […] give to have I else what see to demanded and objects of kind all collects he said he around, laying had I computer old an up pick to came profiteer] ―[the them: with experiences had have that insiders met have I category, this from someone meet to chance the get not did I Although FreecycleNetworks. Romanian all from banned and moderators the by discovered profiteers of category the to time short notion the added have I why is This insiders. the users, other the from tips receive and platform, Freecycle the on online happens that everything on eyes their keeping the of out kicked be to not order in profile low a keep to try They donations. the through benefits material obtain to alone: purpose one and purpose one for Freecycle use who users those are profiteers The rule. this to exception no poss market of type every in present is users of type This community. I‘mwhy onFreecycle.It‘s still [ just… 34). male H., (G. it..‖ that‘s […] reason no for space living my occupying were that electronics some away gave and then since requests four to responded have I […] about First of all we have the classic insider. Most insiders fall into this category. Their Their category. this into fall insiders Most insider. classic the have we all of First users those are They Bucharest. Freecycle of part biggest the represent insiders The actual the of percent permanent but small, very a represent profiteers time short The : they usually do not last long, because at one point or another they are are they another or point one at because long, last not do usually they : classic insider generally donates groups of objects, around once per per once around objects, of groups donates generally insider classic

on a weekly basis. Observation and intervi and Observation basis. weekly a on short

pause] well why(M. P., male, not?‖ 19). 22

community, but fortunately the moderators are moderators the fortunately but community,

male, 31). male, ible, Freecycle making making Freecycle ible, ews led to different to led ews

―I don‘t know don‘t ―I

CEU eTD Collection feelings. the way, This 36). female, A., (J. more‖ them needs whoever to back it giving be them will I into so fit anymore, not does bigger, is she now […] girl little my for clothes me gave someone object particular that forneed more no is there when and articles)and books students, the for or items; related baby budgets, low on families the for example, (for object particular a receive or request they that this of case the In t tend objectshand, other the on categoryusersof anymore). used be cannot and breaks it hand, second being until, (or forever object particular that keeps usually owner new the place, taken has donation the After objects donations, Through community. the to something, somehow, back, give to need the feels and received donations the for grateful very is she or he spare, to objects have always not does budget low on family student/ the Although 26). female, I., (A. buy to moneyhave not do but need or wantI things the acquire to me for onlysolution the is Freecycle […] table the on food put to manage barely can I stuff, new buy to afford cannot ―I do unilateral (theoretically) of idea the on works Freecycle that Seeing discovered. be to have patterns consumption classic thealternativesto this, alwaysof Becausenot possibility. ais objects necessarynewacquiring economicreason. lowbudgetFreecyclean With outof mainly objects have heor through(and Freecycle sheowns tobedisposedof istheeasiest it way). be to it for need no is although there and Freecycle, object, on found same be may hand, (the second choice rational a be to seem not does object new a acquiring when moments those for it, to access have to prefers but Freecycle, inside made donations the Second we have the student and/ or the family on a low budget. This type of user uses user of type This budget. low a on family the or and/ student the have we Second

ae bet s netd ih lne lf ad lt oe esnl tre and stories personal more lot a and life longer a with invested is object same te ofr t ak s dnto t te omnt. Oe er ago year ―One community. the to donation a as back it offer they , nations, it represents the best solution for this category of users. of category this for solution best the represents it nations, 23

o change more than two owners. This means This owners. two than changemore o s (be them students or families), orfamilies), themstudents s (be

hne hi owner. their change new) or for when when for or new)

‖ CEU eTD Collection ―Most regulator: market a as Freecycle sees also saver The donation. for offered is it needed, need an ordesireappears, aobject for object nolonger made; request is is an andwhen owned n with basically uses objects, that requesting one and donating the both is for saver Freecycle The 39). male, M., (H. free?‖ for condition good in one have can I when Ikea from armchair new a buy I should ―Why 64). male, L., (V. Freecycle.‖ use t needed that someone Or friends. Or family. my to them sent I than the, for need no had I if And over. and Over them. reused I them. repaired I object. usable a away thrown ob use tryto and market capitalist the of patterns, consumption classic the of out step to prefer always will saver the so, Even new. buy to afford can and problems financial big have not does saver The more‖ (R. M.,female, 38). n that someone to it gave and more waited not have you regret will you later maybe comer, first the to object] donated [the it give you if […] to it give to who deciding des a only not and need, a has actually who person a be must receiver The here. important very is donation the receive will who choosing of aspect the Also, donations. own adding or requests t browses user of type This 38). female, M., (R. [Freecycle]‖ this through needy the to donate I clothes, to toys old from family, our in anymore used not is that everything […] up grown have kids my problems, thing the acquiring of means other any have not other whodo users tohelp order big Freecycle insideruses way. in hearted iseasierit The this because objectsdisposetoof used it is nor acquire objects orderto used in not is that platform Fre user, this For others. from donations to respond she or he does nor objects ire for a specific object. ―When I make a post [topic] I always wait a few days before before days few a wait always I [topic] post a make I ―When object. specific a for ire The forth type of user is the is usertypeof forth The request not does normally user This user. hearted big the is insider of type third The jects for as long as possible, by repairing them or changing owners. ―I have never never have ―I owners. changing or repairingthem by possible, as long as for jects

he Freecycle platform on a weekly basis, searching for posts with with posts for searching basis, weekly a on platform Freecycle he keeper

and represents an important part of the community.the of part important an represents and 24

s they need. ―I have a good life, no financial no life, good a have ―I need. they s dfeecs We a When differences. o eeded it even even it eeded hem. Now I Now hem. cce s a is ecycle CEU eTD Collection the users, of type seventh a be should there that means This recycling. premise: this 31). just way‖male, (G.I, easier this is I it toadmit I have and want, what toobtain foranotherway me is Freecycle computers. old find to can I anywhere markets, hand second fairs, to go love I ―[…] desires. t love I models. collecting old the especially computers, their with fit may that objects old find to possibility the offers it that fact the is important more free; is Freecycle that fact the not is user of type this imp The objects.exchanges or sells that else anything orfairmarket a or shop hand second a use would they manner same the in Freecycle use They consistent. very are by other members. offered donations to respond they do nor objects, for request never usually users lazy The 19). 7 the on live […] them of rid get to have we so use, not do we things many to have we now […] grandparents and parents our from things of lot a start the from received have we […] now years three for brother my with live ―I furniture). like noth for space occupy and needed longer no are that objects the of rid get to modality simple very a represents it it, offers that one the to go to has donation the receives who one the Because manner. easy an in objects unwanted of rid get to order Freecycle Bucharest administrator). Sandor, (Lucian furniture‖ free and durable to access has market the if year, one for lasts ma of mechanism a Freecycle in see I all, of

Freecycle worldwi they numerous, not are collectors the Although collector. the is user of type sixth The mai Freecycle to resorts user of type This user. lazy the find we place fifth In th

floor.. it is not easy. But it becomes very easy with Freecycle‖ (M. P., male, male, P., (M. Freecycle‖ with easy very becomes it But easy. not is it floor..

de has started as an ecological movement and has mainly worked on ecologicalmovement mainly startedan andhas as has worked on de

o make them work again […] it is my passion! I passion! my is it […] again work them make o 25 rket regulation. You cannot sell furniture that furniture sell cannot You regulation. rket to get rid of a massive library, seeing that we that seeing library, massive a of rid get to

ing (especially big objects, objects, big (especially ing ortant aspect for aspectfor ortant nly in nly CEU eTD Collection social or thought of creation the in that everything community a is ―It will. utilitarian a on based is society while needs, vital the from comes that will original natural, instinctual, organic, an by characterized is community The two will. present of forms cohabitation distinct of forms two These (gesellschaft). society and (gemeinschaft) to one. belonging of comfort the members its gives and society and community between combination that someone Or Ineeded Freecycle‖L., use them.Now 64). male, (V. friends. Or family. my to them sent I than the, for need no had I if And – cycle throwingcheapawayfastand of buying Bucharest: togobecauseourselves ―Itjust cannot normal wefrom not bankrupt this is restrain ant be to seems a as aspect driving the reasonexchanges for ecological they make. the has interviewees the of none reality, In subject. the in interest the a just discourse, though ecologicalnetworkThis was more a favors behavior. that agreed them of most matter, the about pressed When Freecycle. using for reason differentco ecologist

―I have never thrown away a usable object. I repaired them. I reused them. Over and over. over. and Over them. reused I them. repaired I object. usable a away thrown never have ―I h sca cmoet f reyl i a ey motn oe Fecce cs ie a like acts Freecycle one: important very a is Freecycle of component social The whatof idea intervieweesthe towardsdriftedthe ofmatter, some this discussing When ecological an mentioned has respondents the of none interviews, eighteen of Out

The German sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies makes a distinction between communi between distinction a makes Tonnies Ferdinand sociologist German The 5.5 s . The interviews conducted and participant observation on the other hand led to a to led hand other the on observation participant and conducted interviews The .

The socialaspectsThe nclusion. i - consumerism

gi, e o ak o h amnsrtr f Freecycle of administrator the to back go we again,

26 ‖ . Others embraced the mentalities from embraced. Others thepast thementalities

reflective, rational, rational, reflective, prompted by my prompted by my ty

CEU eTD Collection 32 31 30 29 28 to community, a to belonging of need the is motive another it; into work of lot a put to having without possible as fast as oldbelongings getting one‘s ridof need of simple them,the moreindividuals then unfortunate destroying without objects of rid getting (recycling, time‖ a at gift one world the ―change to suggests, Network Freecycle the as are, these beliefs: tourists the about not and insiders, the ma is reference the members, the between values common cooperate. about talking to When them cause to order in individual every in internally works that collective conscience a constitute that beliefs and values common share people groups, Freecylce In of way and organization. goal common the than other groups other the to relation other no with itself, towns‖ their in free ( groups in for organized stuff getting) (and giving are who people of movement profit by al realized is community The memory. collective to indifferent are forms social while tradition, and memory preserve can that ones only the vision his in are forms Community conventions. complex, a is society while society‖. of concept – art‖ of effect the is that everything society, spontaneous; or natural is people of representation

Kozinets, 2009 Kozinets, 2001 Durkheim, http://www.freecycle.org/ Tonnies,2001 Tonnies,2001 this is the being of community, either as an ideal and mechanical construction construction mechanical and ideal an as either community, of being the is this 28 l parts involved, whileinsocietyeveryonel parts isforherself. him/ . ―The relation itself and thus the social b social the thus and itself relation ―The . h Fecle ewr i dsrbd n h ofca pg a big n etrl non ―entirely an being as page official the on described is Network Freecylce The Durkheim

differentiatescommunity and society solidarity onthetype based of h it 29 one city, one group). Each of these groups represents a community by community a represents groups these of Each group). one city, one

hs a, omnt i bsd n utm ad omn experience, common and customs on based is community way, This

but artificial aggregate based on public opinion, legislation and and legislation opinion, public on based aggregate artificial but

a group of people who share the same values. No matter what what matter No values. same the share who people of group a . 32

h niessaetesm ol, ausad or and/ values goals, same the share insiders The 27 ond is conceived either as real and organic life organic and real as either conceived is ond

the environment), the desire to help help to desire the environment), the

de only about about only de –

this is the is this as. 30 -

CEU eTD Collection 33 she he/ what of satisfaction the obtaining and offer to has she he/ anything with contributing th because community domestic a is it hand, one On them. of both from elements presents Freecylce society, and community between distinction his and Durkheim of case the in as Again, propinquities. and communities domestic between lackingfrom their realinthe modern lives, society). is maybe (that community a of part being of recognition and help offer will turn its at which wo greater a of part feel to order in objects worthless even offering by community the help to best their do to try people Sometimes, on). t (a insignificant are objects the times, of lot a that clearly co or community‖ same the to belong to participants of feeling common goals/ withclearr values needs/ and rules solidarity, organic with solidarity mechanical mixing them, of two the between combination a is It concepts. these of one only of part being as considered be cannot group this that realize Freecycleorder a toexist. not group normsandwithout regulations, is assaw we before. in rules needs society Also, services. other‘s each use and cooperate to need members So colla would group the than objects, a for ask only as would member describedevery If society. be also can it means which services), another‘s one for individuals the of tha realize we analysis, the with further go we if hand, other the On community. a as declared be can Freecycle that clear is it is, group this to belonging of motive the

Weber, 1978 Weber, - existence. Looking through the objects that are given away on Fre on away given are that objects the through Looking existence. mr iprat ocp fo Wbr fr reyl, is Freecycle, for Weber, from concept important more A that believes hand, other the on Weber, ukems prah n omnt ad oit, f ple t Fre to applied if society, and community on approach Durkheim‘s t Freecycle is also characterized, on a certain level, by organic solidarity (the need need (the solidarity organic by level, certain a on characterized, also is Freecycle t

rld, part of a community that is there for them, and and them, for there is that community a of part rld, 28

egulations. omnt i cetd y ― by created is community

ere is no repartition model, each member member each model, repartition no is ere 33 - , and not necessarily by proximity by necessarily not and , shirt, a broken wooden toy and so and toy wooden broken a shirt,

the distinction he makes makes he distinction the using Durkheim concept, Durkheim using ecylce, one can see can one ecylce, cle mks us makes ecylce, h subjective the pse quickly. quickly. pse

CEU eTD Collection 34 need, (curiosity, member to member from varied community the entering for reasons the revealed probably thecommunity. to give back objects they moment one at and community, the from objects take members process: continuous a object an receive only may or give only may People exchange. of sort some about talk can we norms), by established not is (it mandatory not is it Although counter and (gift exchange of even losessome ifit ofitsmembers. survive easily can (Freecycle) propinquity the words, other in members); the case, our (in an becomes, it big and developed more community)the Freecycle the case, our (in propinquitytakes the responsibilities more the that fact the is propinquity and Freecylce between aspect common Another established. been has the of one is it that even Freecycle, of part is that concept a is brotherhood economic that say can we So point). one at return, in something receive to expectnonetheless but on, somethingpassed theywhom have to someonefrom directlyreturn no does one that sense the in way, abstract the an (in me youhelp you, Ihelp conceptof on based mostly is Freecycle end, the at But away. giving are they that objects the of someon help to order in objects different offer that members are coursethere Of sentiments. any without done sentimentalism‖. of type any of characteristics main the of some economic defines Weber propinquity. presents Freecycle hand, other the On need. may

Weber, 1978 Weber, A last aspect to mention is the concept of mutuum that Weber also theconcept discuss A lastmentionis ofmutuum to aspect The interviews conducted with active members of the Bucharest Freecycle Network Network Freecycle Bucharest the of members active with conducted interviews The

an important similarity with my own case from when I was a new member. Although Although member.new I a whenwas from case similaritymyown important an with

e in need, so involving sentiments; or that some people invest feelings in some in feelingsinvest people some that or sentiments; involving so need, in e

Most of the times, the mutual help offered inside Freecycle is Freecycle inside offered help mutual the times, the of Most - it i smtig ht n wy s rsn i Freecycle. in present is way a in that something is gift)

brotherhood as ―mutual help offered in the absence of absence the in offered help ―mutual as brotherhood d at the same time the domestic units become smaller smaller become units domestic the time same the at d 29

concepts on which this community this which on concepts , it is true, but more likely it is is it likely more but true, is it , es. This type This es. t expect a expect t CEU eTD Collection a be to example, for decide, can (they community the to belong to long how for and belong to want they if chose can Users families). of case the in example, for is, it (like community ― (or belonging‖ to here referring are we that fact them. respects and understands that community a to belonging of feeling the is community the to another, or way some in contribute, and important an above, described Ortalking because oftheeconomicbrotherhood about? by concept ofdescribed Weber? t because maybe Or community‖? same the becoming community,this in soinvolved ifthey even ―exchanges‖ donotmake very often? users active become them of most and community, the to drawn somehow are members new agenda, personal their resolving and joining After Freecycle, to before d membership of year first my for chose I path the was This outsider. an just being to back gone have could member the and resolved, been have could need the email an need the and presenteditself case the If outsider. an as network the in stay to been have would least) at me (for solution member active as stay to reason more no had theoreticallythey needed a of to obtain possession cases, most in goal mind: clear in very witha network this of them joined All family. or friends from it aboutlearning after Freecyclejoined interviewedmembers Most all in similarities share to seem member a as staying for reasons the reasons), academic Is it because, as Weber stated, of ―the subjective feeling of participants to belong to belong to participants of feeling subjective ―the of stated, Weber as because, it Is path. this follow not do usually users Freecycle that observe to surprised very was I neves n priiat bevto rvae ta, eadn t te elem the to regarding that, revealed observation participant and Interviews ecidinga tomakeresearch

or desired or freelance

good (most of all, furniture). After furniture). all, of (most good

belonging

for a specific object (to give away or receive) appeared, with just just appeared,with receive) awayor give (to object specific a for reason for whic for reason a different type of belonging, which I will call ―unbounded call will I which belonging, of type different a on ‖

. ht en nbd i cntand o eog o the to belong to constrained is nobody means That ). it. it.

he 30 h Freecycle members become active members members active become members Freecycle h

organic An important aspect to mention here is the is here mention to aspect important An . Why is this happening? Why are they they are Why happening? this is Why . mechanic /

their initial goal was solved though, though, solved was goal initial their s

in the community; the logical logical community; the the in

oiaiy ukem was Durkheim solidarity cases. cases.

ents ents

CEU eTD Collection 35 in belong you that feel you so community, the from back get and give you a member, As manner. easy an in relations and bonds create to possibility the and community a to Freecycl space, real and virtual both in created connections social the andabove of because of boundariesmentioned lack the 42). Because of touch‖ in keep still We friend. a made also I art] on books [three exchange first my But want. I as much as socialize to time have don‘t I same; the is day every sleep; then and eat home, back come work, to go up, wake ―I stating, was informants my of one As me. help you you, help I principle the on working individualism, of notion the dest also Freecycle like communities virtual geography), of obsolesce the communication, of channels (instantaneous space and time of boundaries the Destroying communities. virtual the of of means digital appearance The others. of detriment the in themselves of more and more thinking way, individualist more a in act to started People right. was individuals, and societies framing creatingwithout It andbean relations meanings. just economic would transaction. but place, take still would Exchanges members. active many as have not would Bucharest t if hand, other the on But collapse. would community the them, without aspect; important an are members its to offers network the that opportunities and exchanges object the Yes, practices. exchange through fiv conducted, interviews eighteen the of Out then come back, withno communi the of part

McLuhan, 1962 McLuhan, McLuhan users. the between relations and bonds creates space real and virtual of intertwine The

communication created a base for a different type of communities to appear: to communities of type different a for base a created communication 35 , although exagge although , ty for some time, some for ty

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