When "render" counts

"Giving, receiving, and giving back are the three obligations that form the fabric of our social life."

The "give - receive - return" cycle

• Marcel Mauss conceptualized the cycle of giving-receiving-giving back as a foundation of social life, arguing that these interactions weave a web of interdependent relationships that reinforce cohesion within communities.
  
  This dynamic is particularly relevant in the context of collective learning, where the sharing of knowledge and skills contributes to the development of a collaborative and supportive environment.
  
  
• Émile Durkheim (1893) also recognized the importance of social solidarity for mutual support between members of a community.
  
  
• The circulation of knowledge is essential to reducing inequalities and promoting a more equitable society, as Robin Morgan (1970) points out.
  
  
• By giving back to others, we contribute not only to the dissemination of knowledge, but also to the establishment of a culture of sharing, recognized by Richard Stallman as a pillar of the digital age. This culture of sharing is crucial to tackling contemporary challenges, particularly ecological ones, by fostering innovation and creativity.
  
  
• Lawrence Lessig (2004) insists that open access to ideas is a prerequisite for innovation.
  
  
• Individual responsibility towards others and the environment is emphasized by Jane Goodall, who calls for a human ethic that respects all living beings.
  
  
• This perspective echoes that of E.O. Wilson (1992) on the importance of maintaining ecological balance for our survival.
  
  
• The equitable redistribution of resources and knowledge is also a crucial aspect of social justice, as mentioned by Eleanor Roosevelt in reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
  
  
• Engaging in the cycle of giving-receiving-giving back strengthens collective identity and a sense of belonging, according to Michael Sandel (2012).
  
  
• Encouraging community members to become active, autonomous learners, as advocated by Noam Chomsky, fosters personal development and the growth of skills adapted to a changing world.
  
  
• Finally, the adoption of a give-receive-give-back cycle based on collective learning and inspired by the principles of ecological sustainability, as suggested by Janine Benyus (1997), contributes to the creation of a sustainable learning ecosystem.
  
  This cycle not only benefits individuals and organizations, but also promotes the sustainability of our planet, underlining the importance of practices that respect the limits of our environment.

Illustration: LindaHarms - DepositPhotos

Sources

Benyus, J. (1997). Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature https://biomimicry.org/janine-benyus/

Durkheim, É. (1893). On the Division of Social Labor. https://www. persee.fr/doc/ahess_0395-2649_1973_num_28_3_293234

Lessig, L. (2004). Free Culture. https://www. free-culture.cc/

Mauss, M. (1950). The cycle of giving and receiving https://www.persee.fr/doc/ahess_0395-2649_1968_num_13_1_421909

Morgan, R. (1970). Sisterhood is Powerful. https://www. worldcat.org/title/sisterhood-is-powerful-an-anthology-of-writings-from-the-womens-liberation-movement/oclc/185583

Roosevelt, E. (1948). Reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
https:// www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

Sandel, M. (2012). What money can't buy: The moral limits of the market.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674088917

Stallman, R. Free Software Foundation - https://www.fsf.org

Wilson, E.O. (1992). The Diversity of Life. https://www. hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674058170