[-empyre-] local currencies: Ithaca Hours

[Renate Ferro]

I've been lurking this month but have enjoyed the diverse posts. 
Ithaca,NY  has its own local currency as well called "Ithaca Hours".  This
 local currency system not only sustains local economic strength but also
encourages  community self-reliance.  It ideally wants to improve economic
conditions as it relates to  social justice, ecology, and community among
others. While there are over 900 participants that publicly exchange
Ithaca HOURS for goods and services there are a few who are paying wages
out in the currency.  It has been in existence for as long as I can
remember!  For a glimpse of the system go to

http://www.ithacahours.org

Renate Ferro
>
> these people may really be on to something with this practice...why
> wouldn't or shouldn't every locale have their own currency?
>
> NRIII
>
>  Nicholas Ruiz III, Ph.D
> Editor, Kritikos
> http://intertheory.org
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: davin heckman <davinheckman at gmail.com>
> To: soft_skinned_space <empyre at lists.cofa.unsw.edu.au>
> Sent: Monday, April 6, 2009 2:35:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [-empyre-] Eddies, Whirlwinds, Trade Winds
>
> I just read an article in the Detroit News on their new local currency:
> http://www.detnews.com/article/20090323/BIZ/903230389/Detroit+cash+keeps+hometown+humming
>
> It's not "extra-marketable"...  but I do like that it tries to keep money
> local.
>
> Davin
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 5, 2009 at 8:58 PM, { brad brace } <bbrace at eskimo.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, 5 Apr 2009, G.H. Hovagimyan wrote:
>>
>>> > ghh...what might an 'extra-marketable' utopia look like...?
>>>
>>>
>>> ... In New York there are hundreds of artists collectives that
>>> are now functioning outside of the market. They share loft spaces,
>>> produce work online and offline and function despite the
>>> market...
>>
>> you'd know better than me G.H. (I haven't set foot in NYC
>> since the 70-80's), so I'm genuinely interested to know
>> about all these many suddenly successful artists' co-ops...
>> care to name a few? (or is this wistful posturing...)
>>
>>
>> /:b
>>
>>
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Renate Ferro
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Art
Cornell University, Tjaden Hall
Ithaca, NY  14853

Email:   <rtf9 at cornell.edu>
Website:  http://www.renateferro.net


Co-moderator of _empyre soft skinned space
http://www.subtle.net/empyre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empyre

Art Editor, diacritics
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/dia/