for the American Anthropological Association’s annual conference
at the Philadelphia Marriott, December 2-6, 2009

THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF FREECYCLING

Angela Jancius, Chair/Organizer

Freecycling is the act of giving away usable but unwanted items rather
than hoarding or disposing of them.  It is related to other scavenging
and sharing trends of late capitalism – from dumpster diving (an
activity performed by “freegans”), to open source and creative commons
software and publications, to guerrilla gardening (i.e. taking over
abandoned properties to grow vegetables and flowers).  While turning
discarded materials into usable goods has long been commonplace at the
economic peripheries of capitalism, it has not been a usual practice
in wealthy, heavily industrialized centers – perhaps, that is, until
now.  Following four decades of large industry’s disappearance, capped
off by an escalating fiscal crisis, the capital value of goods and
labor in the wealthiest G8 countries is visibly in decline.  It should
be of no surprise, perhaps, that sharing and gleaning, as a way of
life, is gaining popularity.  Drawing from ethnographic comparisons,
and defining freecycling in the broadest sense, this panel seeks to
explore:  How should “freecycling” be defined? Who engages in
freecycling?  Why do people freecycle?  What impact does freecycling
have on formal modes of production and economic exchange?  How does it
relate to other social and economic developments of late capitalism?
Is it a subversive activity?  How does freecycling compare in rural
and urban areas, and in global contexts?

Ethnographic and theoretical papers are sought that treat these and
related themes.  Following the AAA conference, we will explore the
possibility of publishing the papers as an edited volume.

If you are interested in participating in this panel, please send an
initial email conveying your interest. Your 250-word abstract must be
sent to Angela Jancius (jancius3...@comcast.net) no later than March
15, 2009.