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Chapter 6 introduces the idea of biomimicry, in which humans attempt to imitate natural systems. Kimmerer describes the serviceberry economy, in which abundance fuels the distribution of goods and services. Serviceberry trees take in sunlight, rain, and air to create energy, which first supports the tree and then is given away to birds and other animals that feast on the berries. These animals then distribute the seeds far and wide through their waste, and the cycle begins again. This is an example of an ecological economy driven by mutualism, not the competition which traditional economists often tout as the driving force of any economy. In this mutualistic relationship, actual scarcity is prevented, unlike manufactured scarcity, which is caused by theft and commodification, such as how the farm stand  was stolen and commodified.

Read an explanation of a key quote (#3) about the importance of building strong social bonds in order for communities to thrive.

Chapter 7 addresses how we can make the shift from a market economy to a gift economy. Kimmerer uses the example of Paulie and Ed, her neighbors who own a farm, but who also understand the importance of building relationships as a future investment in their business. They cannot see a return on their investment from the community if they do not first build the community. Community, Kimmerer argues, is the key to creating gift economies. Not only does it create the web of reciprocity and responsibility needed for a gift economy to thrive, but it fulfills our innate human desire for social bonds and relationships. The market economy will not go away, Kimmerer argues, but we can grow gift economies alongside it. Building these communities will require both incremental change and creative disruption to the current system.

Read about Main Idea #3 of The Serviceberrry: Gift economies create wealth that is more than material.

Kimmerer ends the book with an invitation to be part of the gift economy, reciprocating the gifts of the earth by donating one’s own gifts to the earth, whether the gift is time, money, art, political action, education, or building a community of one’s own.

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