Transactions vs. Relationships
In a market economy, a transaction (buying a coffee) ends the relationship. In a Gift Economy, the transfer of a resource *begins* or strengthens a relationship. The "debt" of reciprocity is what binds the community together.
This is central to the Myceloom philosophy: value circulation is designed to build the network, not just extract profit from it. Open Source software is a prime example of a modern gift economy, where code is given freely, creating reputation and community in return.
Mauss's Obligations
Marcel Mauss, in his foundational work The Gift (1925), identified three key obligations that drive this system:
- The Obligation to Give: To share abundance and initiate social contact.
- The Obligation to Receive: To accept the bond and the burden of relationship.
- The Obligation to Reciprocate: To return the gift (often with interest) to maintain balance and dignity.