Brooklyn Torch Project

Studying Marx in Greenpoint

Mary — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:18:16 +0000

I recently started sitting in on David Harvey’s class on Karl Marx’s Capital. Before the first day of class, I really didn’t know that Marx wrote three volumes of Capital. So, when I went to get my copy at Greenpoint’s Word bookstore last Sunday, I wasn’t terribly specific about asking them to order Volume One when they didn’t have it on their shelves.

Tonight, I went by, and oops! They ordered Volume 3. I probably won’t be caught up on the reading for next Monday’s class, but I’m hoping that I can get close after I get my copy this Friday. I know it’s a bit silly to wait to get a book from my local bookstore when I could just go to Barnes & Noble or order from Amazon myself, but there’s something kind of great about getting to know the people that work at Word. Even though they didn’t have the book I came in to get, and even inadvertently wrong volume, I was able to connect to these people that serve my and my neighbors’ hunger for knowledge. I’m able to engage with each employee in a neighborly way, and feel a sense of generosity flow from their store to me, and back again. Persevering to get my copy of Capital from Word has become a bit more than being true to the mission of this project- I’m getting know and like this place in my neighborhood- and that’s great for both of us.

Update: I picked up the right volume today, and to my surprise and benefit, I received a 10% discount for my troubles. That doesn’t happen with Amazon! Thanks, Word.

Progress!

Mary — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:25:25 +0000

Okay folks, it’s been awhile since you heard from us, and I intend to change that toute suite. Last week we had a meeting where Pratt students who had shared their design ideas and our crack team of money makers met and talked about our next steps. It was grand and we are excited to be moving forward. The reality is that our ambitious plans for launching the Brooklyn Torch Yesterday were a bit, well, ambitious. We are moving forward though, just at the speed of the universe though. We’ve been reading about the speed of money, and wholeheartedly agree with Woody Tasch of Slow Money. It’s very possible this whole sustainable food movement holds the keys to a sustainable economy, and we’re happy to slow down if it means we’re making the right moves.

We’re in the News!

Mary — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:01:55 +0000

Check out our recent stories below:

February 1, 2010
MSN Money shares Smart Money’s article with links to us. Hi, MSN visitors!

January 15, 2010
Smart Money on Real-Life Monopoly Money.

December 7, 2009
Sheepless.org on local currencies.

November 26, 2009
Macleans on Making Money.

November 4, 2009
Zeit, a German article on the state of the US economy, leading with the Brooklyn Torch.

August 25, 2009
WNYC radio segment with Mary Jeys, Brooklyn Torch founder; Paul Glover, Ithaca Hours founder and Susan Witt, BerkSHARES founder

August 18, 2009
Fast Company What Would Neighborhood Currency Look Like?

August 12, 2009
The Daily News Brooklyn Feature that broke the story of our project to the world.

Help Design The Brooklyn Torch!

Mary — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:39:16 +0000

This Saturday, August 8th at 5pm we will be at FEAST hosting a table in McGolrick Park/Church of the Messiah on Russell Street in Greenpoint. We invite you and your friends and family can come and help us brainstorm about what should be on our paper money. FEAST is a great event that encourages you to be an art benefactor by paying a sliding scale entry fee for dinner and a ballot. The ballot is for you to vote for the proposal of your choosing. It should be fun, and we’re looking forward to meeting you and seeing your ideas!

Brooklyn Torch is a Finalist!

Mary — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:17:26 +0000

We submitted the Brooklyn Torch project to the Summer Stipend open call over at Macktez. They ask for a low cost object to be included in their seasonal mailers and for a description of the summer project. We suggested funny money and described the work we are doing for the Brooklyn Torch. We are happy to announce that we are among this year’s finalists! All of the projects look great and we are honored to be included among such great company. You can also check out previous recipients, Huzzah for Macktez!

Burning Through the Summer

Mary — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:44:21 +0000

The Brooklyn Torch project continues through the Summer of 2009. We are still looking for collaborators in participation and design.

We are also finding plenty of inspiration from The Summer of Fun Manifesto. It is in this spirit that we burn our Brooklyn Torch well into the summer nights. Please contact us at committee [at] brooklyntorch [dot] org for more information.

We won a FEAST Grant!

Mary — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:06:56 +0000

Thank you to all the FEASTers who voted for the project on May 9th. It was a wonderful evening of delicious food and conversations. Happiest of all, we had a great show of support for a local currency for Brooklyn. We are well on our way now to producing something to keep our wealth flowing for us!

Brooklyn Torch at FEAST

Mary — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:28:31 +0000

The Brooklyn Torch Project is up for a the FEAST grant on May 9, 2009. Please come see us in person to find out more about what we’re doing and how you can join us. The FEAST dinner is open to the public on a sliding scale (between $10-$20 for dinner and a ballot.) It’s a great night of artists and conversations topped off with delicious food and music. Please come to 129 Russell Avenue at the Church of the Messiah in Greenpoint, Brooklyn from 6-8pm. Project presentations will begin at 6:30pm. We hope to see you there.

How Can I Participate?

Mary — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:55:43 +0000

We need participants at every level. In order for this project to succeed, we need as many users involved.
Steering Committee
Brooklyn Torch Project needs volunteers to help plan and implement the currency. We are looking for a diverse network of contributors. For example, if you are someone with experience with large scale civic planning, or a local organizer, we are looking for you.
Local Business Owners
If you own a local business in North Brooklyn, please speak to us about joining the network. We would love to list your business among our participants and send trade through your doors.
Artist/Designers
We are looking for artists to help design the paper currency. The design will be on a physically traded object, used by everyone in the system. Designers should be up for collaboration and ready to meet the challenge of counterfeit proofing.
Local Printmakers
We are looking for local printmakers to collaborate with the Brooklyn Torch Project to print a counterfeit proof paper bill set.
Public Relations
Calling all media outlets such as local papers, blogs and email newsletters to help spread the word of our project. The more people that understand the mission of The Brooklyn Torch project, the more chance of its success which is directly tied to the improved success of our community.

The Brooklyn Torch Project Begins!

Mary — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:11:46 +0000

What is the Brooklyn Torch Project?
The Brooklyn Torch Project aims to create a local currency to benefit the local area businesses and artists. The project will bring together both artist communities and immigrant communities in our area to improve integration of social groups and economies and boost our pride.

What is a Local Currency?
A local currency is a method of trading goods and services meant to supplement other means of trade while improving the community wealth. Local currencies circulate in a defined region. Money does not leave the area because trade is restricted by the currency boundaries.

Where have Local Currencies Succeeded?
In Ithaca, NY. Founder, Stephen Burke describes, “An Ithaca HOUR will generate 30 times more economic activity than [a dollar] will,” This means more money for their community. Some communities even have wages paid in the local currency because the local money is worth more in the community than Federal dollars.

Is a Local Currency Legal?
Yes. The IRS, FBI, US Secret Service, Federal Reserve and Treasury Department have all declared the printing and use of local currencies to be legal.