Bartering in this "new" economy

I ran across this article in the Seattle Times about a new networking site call "Dibspace". I know, I know, who needs another networking site? I don't understand, care about or use any of the other ones.

But this one is a little different. It is a bartering network where small business people can "purchase" goods and services with "dibs", a virtual currency. For now, it is Seattle or NW based but seems to be growing. Check it out. You get 100 dibs just for signing up and you would be amazed at the breadth of services offered. Good for them!

Alternate currency seems to be all the rage in this rocky economy. I heard recently that some communities are even printing up their own money. The supply and demand is there but the liquidity is not. What are people to do? Time to get creative.

We have personally tried to do barter before but is seemed to get bogged down in how much service A was worth compared to service B. We equated it with dollar amounts understandably. But, I expect necessity will take it to a different level. I need A, you have it. You need B, I have it. Let's make a deal!

Someone said that this is what happened during the great depression too. Why wouldn't ingenious citizens come up with an alternate commerce when the "real" banks are either stealing us blind or "too big to fail" therefore scarfing up tax payer dollars.

This whole thing has made me look at my life, occupation and stuff in a different way. Do I have something someone would want? Farm produce, tennis lessons, organic apples, small business consulting?

Suddenly, everything is in the bartering realm. And, why shouldn't it? For us, this could be the new age. Some will "get it", some never will. But, if these days tell us anything, it is time to try something new.