Talents as Currency

The talent was an ancient weight and money unit.

The dictionary defines talent as "the abilities, powers, and gifts bestowed upon a man; natural endowments; thought of as a divine trust. A natural capacity or gift."

Why have a talent currency system?

Not every talent exchange can be done directly between two people. When doing a circle of talent exchange between three or even four people, it's tricky to match the right people up in their needs and abilities but it can be done.

The truth is that no one person could possibly keep track of all the exchanges and values as efficiently as the Invisible Hand of the free market (reference "Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith). Central planning has always been slow and inefficient.

The approach for the Benicia Talent Exchange is to use paper certificates redeemable for a specific service by a specific individual which has a numerical value in the denomination of "talents".

Each person will have stewardship over their own earned talents and is responsible for honoring the commitments within each talent certificate they've issued.

Talent certificates used in exchange and payment for services can only be issued and redeemed by the person performing the service specified in the certificate.

For instance, Zack cannot create a talent certificate that Lilly will do an hour of gardening valued at 50 talents.

When creating talent certificates please keep in mind that you are entering a contract that you will provide the specified service to the bearer of your certificate.

If you know that someone has a particular talent that is not listed on the exchange because they do not recognize their abilities as valuable to others you may approach that person and request participation in the talent exchange.

Do not solicit the services of those for whom the talent is their profession through which they financially support their family. However, if you would like to share your professional talent on the exchange you must list specifically what you are willing to contribute.