Previous

The first section of The Serviceberry (Chapters 1 and 2) introduces the idea of gifts and gift economies, contrasting them with commodities and market economies. Chapter 1 introduces the idea of natural resources actually being gifts from the earth. It also explores the Indigenous cultures of gratitude surrounding these gifts. Gratitude is not simply an emotion, but a cycle of recognition, responsibility, and reciprocity. Gifts are not to be hoarded, but to be shared, just as they are in nature, so that they may continue benefiting the community instead of remaining static. This is the basis of a gift economy. Chapter 2 discusses the difference between gifts and commodities, mainly in the way that they are treated. Gifts are more valuable because of the relationships associated with them, and thus are treated with more respect and gratitude. Commodities, on the other hand, are treated merely as objects and as such, are not treated with care or respect.

Read an explanation of a key quote (#1) from the book about overcomsumption and recognizing “enoughness.”

The second section of the book (Chapters 3-5) discusses economies driven by scarcity versus the natural human impulse for generosity. Chapter 3 mentions individualistic market economies driven by personal accumulation and contrasts those with communalistic gift economies, where flourishing is mutual and all activity is driven by gratitude and relationships. She specifically highlights the contrast between Indigenous economies, which are based on common wealth and mutual flourishing, and Western economies, which are based on individual wealth and well-being. Chapter 4 discusses the natural human impulse for generosity, and how competitive, individualistic economic systems encourage distrust of others which suppresses this impulse. Despite this, gift economies often arise in crisis situations. There are also several small grassroots movements attempting to build gift economies. Chapter 5 examines how this generosity can be scaled up from small, individual gift economies to community-wide efforts that will benefit all. It also discusses the risks that selfish individuals can pose to gift economies when greed is prioritized over communal wellbeing.

Read about Main Idea #1 of The Serviceberrry: Cooperation and generosity are inherent human traits.

The third and final section (Chapters 6 & 7) discusses examples of natural economies and how humans can hope to imitate them. Chapter 6 focuses on the gift economy of serviceberries, in which energy is transferred throughout a habitat through natural reciprocal processes. It also introduces the concept of biomimicry, in which human beings turn to nature for solutions by imitating natural systems. Chapter 7 discusses how these mimicked natural-gift economies can be implemented alongside the current market economy, encouraging incremental change and creative disruption to the current status quo. It invites readers to begin their first steps into the gift economy by offering their own gratitude toward the earth and its gifts.

Read an short essay the relationship between The Serviceberry and Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass.

Previous section Chapters 6 & 7 & Invitation to Gift Economy

Take a Study Break