Photo Courtesy of Toondoo
Well, they say that “old is gold “and also add that “one man’s meat is another man’s poison”. It can actually be actualized through the neighbourhood barter system. A neighbourhood barter system is a platform that connects products and antique exchange enthusiasts within a community or postcode. This system can connect communities in a way that no other system has ever had (well, except for social media). It is a system that will involve the exchange of goods and services amongst all the individuals in a community; the old and the young.
This system has been in existence for hundreds of years, it was the first method of exchange before the invention of money. So how is this NBarter system different from the older barter trade system?
ANY DIFFERENCE?
- First, it is only neighbourhood based. It will not involve other outside communities as it was the case with traditional barter trade.
- It will encompass technology through the development of an application to ease the ‘transactions.
- There will be a wide base for selection to ensure that all participating individuals are satisfied as they will be in one platform.
This system’s main purpose is not just the exchange of goods or services, it will promote cohesiveness among the members of a community. It will bring people together, the old and the young. It will give the young people some hobby instead of over depending on social sites. Nowadays the young people are inclined into antiques, which the older generations possess. The young possess skills and expertise that most young people have in abundance. Actually they can help the old with whatever help they need like running errands, and in exchange they get some antique items or other household items that they need.
This platform will be very unique as it will allow customer feedback, which is vital in ensuring that proper communication among the users is smooth. Different age groups tend to have different needs and these can be catered for if feedback is promoted. The NBarter application will be user friendly so as to aid in navigation especially amongst people who are old. It would be unfair to them if the website was complicated, it would reduce its usability.
You might be wondering what happens to those without smartphones or smart gadgets and want to trade? No one is left out because we are promoting community togetherness. We will alternatively organize community exchange days, like a marketplace for exchanging items during certain days of the week. Of course the neighbourhood will be consulted concerning the days of the week that are appropriate for the whole community. Once agreed they will be holding market days for one on one exchanges. With this system, features like security will be enhanced in the community as people will be concerned about their neighbour’s well-being. This additional part of the NBarter System will ensure a balance between technology and the traditional way of doing things.
AND FINALLY…
If this system is successful, then it means that expansion is viable, first to the neighboring communities and maybe further and even in the whole country. It will promote togetherness and even rid some racism that is still remaining. NBarter is the future, as we cannot always depend on hard currencies every time. It means that we can survive even without money. It also means that all the members of the community are important even if they did not have money. It again means that all the members of a community are entitled to a sense of belonging. The whole concept is to participate in communal growth and togetherness without reliance on conventional currencies. NBarter is the future for neighbourhood, community and nations’ cohesiveness.