On Zimbabwe and divesting from death  

Our first guest blog is a bit of a stream of conscience piece by our good friend Furb.

On the topic of the goverment of Zimbabwe considering the move to a gold standard: The market should decide what the standard is. Why does the govt of Zimbabwe need to be in the currency game at all? If the people want to use gold, let them. If they want to use bitcoins, let them. If they really feel the need to use monetary units issued by coercively funded governments the world over, let them.

Why should the failing state of Zimbabwe bother issuing currency in the first place? Agents of the state in the generic can just stay away, with their guns and their thugs. To enter a place of free exchange with guns in a threatening manner is the behavior of an outlaw. Let those wanting to enter the market for currency enter that market without coercion; whether the money is silver or gold like shire silver, shares of stock in a co-op, or whether it be those other monies created by other governments via dictate; the value of each object is subjective.

I choose to be on the gold standard, but I've got to eat. I feel like in order to live as a man of conscience, I must be able to work for and receive gold as my payment, and to exchange gold for goods and services in the marketplace without an agent of the state putting me in prison, slapping me with the label of felon and low level terrorist.

So when needing to procure necessities to satisfy the needs of me and my family, I seem to have a need of money acceptable to those around me. Most of the people I have encountered in the markets around where I live are interested in the gold I present as payment, but they won't take gold because most of them act as agents for corporations. Those corporate interests enjoy priviledged positions because of limits to their liability due to their bribe paid to the state which purchased them - known as a corporate charter.

I need trading partners if this is going to work. I need food, shelter, goods and services delivered in my time of need.

I feel that if I were to boycott the Federal Reserve notes as currency, I probably wouldn't be around very long before I would need to liquidate my gold in order to trade because of such low acceptance rates for gold. Where can I get groceries with bitcoin? Canadian dollars will get me groceries in Canada, but not where I live.

I will divest from death. Will it divest from me? Will the idea of voluntary interaction win out over coercive action? I hope so, and so should you.

I think that since Zimbabwe's national government currency devalued so significantly that they might know what they are talking about. But it is up to individuals to decide what to accept. This is as true in Zimbabwe as it is where you live. Divest from death. Exchange value for value with gold, bitcoin, bartering with a clearinghouse, or directly with someone.

Offer items in classified ads in exchange for Shire Silver, bitcoin, AOCS, silver dimes, your labor, or whatever you want, and see how far it gets you. Drive the bad out of the marketplace by choosing the good. Don't support coercive government, anywhere.

Furb has created a map to document his exploits in attempting to use Shire Silver. You should be able to add yours too! He's also pointed out a couple of classified ads requesting use of Shire Silver, which is a great idea for generating interest. Check them out here and here.