The need for a non-monetary currency
I have several tumblr blogs that receive submissions for commercial works. In pondering if I should start charging , I came to my need for a way to pay or get paid, in more than a like or a reblog. Just a tally of points would do, something that could be exchanged for value.
Part of this is indirectly connected to copyright. I don’t feel right about charging when some of my content is IP driven. But it isn’t quite like I am stealing other’s content, the reblog is almost a form of communication. To restrict posting a song, video, or image, is restricting free speech. Yet Tumblr makes it so easy to aggregate topics, and share ideas. (note the idea that reblogs or likes are a form of currency)
What if the RIAA and the MPAA could be assured of receiving value for copyrighted materials? Through a whuffie system. This seems the perfect solution. (think about the bad PR they have now.)
I have talked about all the conditions for a social capital system being in place but I missed the most important one: need or motivation.
Thoughts?
