the Greater Nomadic Council

Freecycle=A Concept Not Everyone Gets

Hopefully some of you are already familiar with FreeCycle. It's an excellent system of message boards and email lists based around the concept of sharing within a community. If you have something that you no longer want, and that still has some use left in it, but that isn't worth trying to resell, you can put it up on the list. Someone will tell you they want/need it, and then come pick it up. You'll get rid of some unwanted junk and meet a new person, and the person who takes it, well, they get something they need for free. And in addition to the actual freecycling part, there's a whole other world of fun to reading the listings and seeing the crazy things people are offering, and contemplating what sort of journeys these strange objects have taken.

Freecycle does allow you to post Wanted listings as well - things that you need, that other people might be wanting to get rid of. Obviously, most people will take for granted that there are limits to what you can ask for and expect to get for free - on the Austin list, the Wanted listings were far, far fewer in number than the offers, and indicated people's need for such glamorous items as cardboard boxes, grass clippings, used videocassettes, and the occasional request for a Nordic Track. Since moving to Iowa City and joining the Freecycle list here, I've noticed that Wanted listings make up a much larger proportion of the listings - about half, in fact. More remarkable, though, is the kind of stuff these people are asking for - for free, no less.

Here are a few of the most amazing examples of acquisitional hubris you're likely to see:

From: "xxxxfromderby"
WANTED: DVD movie, Bridget Jones' Diary

Our puppy climbed up and stole my Bridget Jones Diary DVD and chewed
it, case and all - in under 2 minutes.

I would like a replacement if you have grown tired of your copy.

Thank you!

From: "cmorebutzXXXX"
WANTED....extra large dog crate

I am needing an XL dog crate....if you have one you are not using I
sure could put it to great use.....thanks

From: "Rebecca"
WANTED: 460 engine for a Ford 3/4 ton pickup truck.

From: "dbrown2321"
Subject: WANTED: Animal Grooming Item & Unwanted Yorkie

Hello: I am just beginning to learn to groom animals and need quite
a few things to get started. If you have any grooming things:
sissors, etc. that you aren't using, I would appreciate them more
than I can say.
Sometimes when we get a animal we end up deciding that this little
one just isn't the one for me, but don't know what to do about it. I
would love to have another little Yorkie, SO, if you have a little
Yorkie that you need a loving, safe & caring home for PLEASE contact
me. I am NOT interested in breeding NOR show just as a pet & part of
our family. I WILL have the little one spay/neutered for sure.

From: "Sarah XXXXXX"
Subject: WANTED: Blue's Clues; Sheep (llama) shears

Looking for anything Blue's Clues for my son's 2nd birthday
(clothes, toys, sheets, etc).

Also need sheep/llama shears.

From: "iowaXXXX"
Subject: WANTED: Fishing Boat

Hi,
I am new to this but I would really like to give a fishing boat to
my dad. He is an avid fisherman but does not have a boat. One in
good condition with a motor and trailer would be prefered. Thanks
for considering this!

Heather Wade