Traders give new definition to free market society

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 17, 2007 | by Dylan Silver

JULIAN HACKNEY of Oakland picked up the book, "50 Simple things You Can Do to Save the Earth" from a spread of

various magazines and books on the grass in San Francisco's Dolores Park. He read the back cover, then tucked it under his arm and walked away without paying. No, he didn't steal it. The book was free, just one of many free items at the Really, Really Free Market.

"I can always come here and find something that I didn't have in mind, but I could use," says Hackney, 20. "This is the third one I've been to."

The Really, Really Free Market, in its third year in San Francisco, takes place on the last Saturday of every month at the southeast corner of Dolores Park. People from around the Bay Area bring goods and services to give each other. There is no money, barter or trade; it's just free.

The event, which organizer Kristen Brydum, 24, calls a "movement," was first held in San Francisco in April 2005. Brydum, along with an organization called Your Friendly Neighborhood Anarchists, started the free market after participating in similar events during the Reclaim the Commons action during the San Francisco biotechnology conferences in 2004. Now, Brydum is the only member of the Anarchists group still working on the movement.

"I like the idea of free exchange," said Audrey Koh, a 25-year San Francisco resident, who brought her 11-year-old son, Anthony. "This is more direct. Instead of taking your stuff to Goodwill or community thrift, you get to see the people who are going to get it."

Along with the clothes, books, plants, drawings and trinkets, intangible things are swapped. Autumn Turley, 19, offered Nan Rosen a violin lesson. Brian "Lion" Waxmam held a sign that advertised free hugs.

Other services, such as Shiatsu massage and Tarot card readings, have also been given at the Really, Really Free Market.

"My favorite part about the Really, Really Free Markets are the non-tangible things that get exchanged freely," says Brydum.

Tony Sce's favorite part of the market is meeting new people.

"I've been to the free market about 10 times," says Sce, 22. "And every time there are new amazing people. It's a good way to bring people together."

For Sce, a New College student, the market is more than just a social gathering.

"It's to provide an alternative example to capitalism," says Sce. "I say example instead of means, because it's on such a small scale, although it would definitely work on a larger scale."

During her two years of organizing the monthly event Brydum has heard a variety of interpretations.

"I think that everyone here has a different idea of what's so great about it," says Brydum, "and that's another thing that's so great about it."