18 Questions
How did the author and their siblings earn spending money?
By picking strawberries for Mrs. Crandall
What did the author's family do for Christmas gifts?
They made homemade gifts
What was the difference between the strawberries in the fields behind the author's house and the strawberries at Crandall's farm?
The strawberries in the fields belonged to themselves
Where did the strawberry plant originate from?
It was brought by Skywoman
What role does the author suggest one should have in receiving a gift?
To be open-eyed and present
What feeling does the author associate with finding a patch of wild strawberries?
Surprise and gratitude
What is the currency of a gift economy?
Reciprocity
What is the main difference between Western thinking and a gift economy when it comes to property?
Private land has a bundle of rights, while in a gift economy it has a bundle of responsibilities.
What is the author's main realization about the market in the dream?
The market had transformed from a market economy to a gift economy.
What is the cardinal difference between a gift and commodity exchange?
Gifts establish a feeling-bond between two people
What is the significance of wild strawberries in the text?
Wild strawberries are considered gifts and should not be sold
Why does Wally 'Bear' Meshigaud not pay for sweetgrass at powwows and fairs?
Sweetgrass cannot be bought or sold and still retain its essence for ceremony
What is the relationship between gratitude and reciprocity?
Gratitude and reciprocity can increase the evolutionary fitness of both plant and animal.
What is the consequence of treating the natural world with respect and reciprocity?
Treating the natural world with respect and reciprocity leads to an increase in evolutionary fitness.
What is the significance of gift exchange with nature?
Gift exchange with nature acknowledges our participation in and dependence upon natural increase.
What is the author's view on the relationship between gratitude and reciprocity?
Gift exchange is the commerce of choice, for it is commerce that harmonizes with, or participates in, the process of [nature's] increase.
What is the author's suggestion on how to understand the earth as a gift again in our modern world?
We could start by listening to Wally. There are those who will try to sell the gifts, but, as Wally says of sweetgrass for sale, 'Don't buy it.' Refusal to participate is a moral choke. Water is a gift for all, not meant to be bought and sold. Don't buy it. When food has been wrenched from the earth, depleting the soil and poisoning our relatives in the name of higher yields, don't buy it.
What is the main difference between the commodity economy and a world of gifts according to the author?
If all the world is a commodity, how poor we grow. When all the world is a gift in motion, how wealthy we become.
Quiz: Understanding the Difference Between Gifts and Commodities Test your knowledge on the fundamental distinction between gifts and commodities! Explore the unique dynamics of gift-giving and commodity exchange, and learn about the meaningful relationships they create. Discover the key factors that differentiate these two forms of exchange and deepen your understanding of their significance in society.
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