It's time! Of course like many resources it tends to be something that people end up with too much or too little of it. Timebanking is a way of redistributing the 'wealth'.
The Freakonomics podcast #599 What's the most common unused resource in the world? explores the importance of timebanking as a means to help balance the iniquities in our communities and go beyond putting a monetary price on everything.
Among the people interviewed is Krista Wyatt, the CEO of TimeBanks.Org who took over the reins from the founder of modern Timebanking, Edgar Cahn, towards the end of his life.
The podcast is very much focused on the USA, but the issues transcend geopolitical boundaries, and are just as relevant here.
Despite having several academics speaking on it, it's easy to follow and raises some interesting questions about how society is changing and the impacts of that. It also highlights some of the ways in which Timebanking can totally improve lives, but also recognising that there are limits as to what kind of tasks it can tackle.
The challenge we face in wider society is getting across that it's as important to receive as to give in terms of a balanced society - after all if you're a giver you need receivers! But for many it's hard to ask for or accept what they see as 'charity' help; the reciprocity of timebanking can encourage participation as it's always two ways: you're either giving or receiving timecredits in exchange for time spent doing something.
So if you're a podcasts aficionado, or just curious to hear what they have to say either click on the link above, or find Freakonomics wherever you get your podcasts from.
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