There is a Japanese legend called “Straw Millionaire” about a poor man who becomes rich, thanks to series of successive trades, starting with a straw.
Nowadays the story has repeated. Kyle MacDonald, called the paperclip guy, One day, sitting at his desk he looked at a red paperclip and come up with an idea to play Bigger and Better starting with that. Rules of the game are to trade something small for something bigger and better and repeat it
He started the game offering a red paperclip from his desk and soon two girls offered a fish-shaped pen for it. Later he got a hand-sculpted doorknob for the pen. After that he traded the doorknob for a camp stove, and after almost a year of trading he ended up giving a movie role contract for a farmhouse.
I encourage you to watch the TED:
2. Have you ever played the game called Bigger and Better? If yes, what are your biggest achievement?
Nowadays the story has repeated. Kyle MacDonald, called the paperclip guy, One day, sitting at his desk he looked at a red paperclip and come up with an idea to play Bigger and Better starting with that. Rules of the game are to trade something small for something bigger and better and repeat it
He started the game offering a red paperclip from his desk and soon two girls offered a fish-shaped pen for it. Later he got a hand-sculpted doorknob for the pen. After that he traded the doorknob for a camp stove, and after almost a year of trading he ended up giving a movie role contract for a farmhouse.
I encourage you to watch the TED:
Questions:
1. Have you heard about the paperclip guys story before? Do you think, that this kind of story could happen in Poland where we are recognized as more distrustful and cunning?2. Have you ever played the game called Bigger and Better? If yes, what are your biggest achievement?
3. Are you an opportunity hunter or a successive trader?
Comments
I believe I'm not only excelent trader but also avid opportunity hunter. When I was a child I picked "noski" from oak tree and tried to sold them. Strangers, always adults of course, payed me some small change or gave me some small presents. ;)
I have never heard of this game, so I haven't played it.
I can't tell really. You've interested me and now I have to read more about it!
How about you - are you excelent trader or opportunity hunter?
Have you heard about American TV programme "Auction Hunters"? They're auctioning old, not paid off garages without checking what's inside. They could only have a quick look at it, yet they mustn't enter garage area. What surprise me the most are things which people collect at their garages and the great ability of "Hunters" to sell acquired goods.
I think that I'm opportunity hunter, long distance strategy is not my strong point, I prefer to search for opportunity and use them.
I think those who played the MMORPG game that is definitely played in this game in order to get the best in-game items.
I have never heard about game Bigger and Better and I have never played it.
Well I really like trading and I think I am a successive trader. When I was 18 I'm selling figures of footballers, which were not available in Poland.
I've never played Bigger and Better game because I'm not a trader at all :) It's always difficult for me to sell something to someone and to negotiate.
Never played Bigger and Better before but I may try someday. Sounds awesome.
I think that with the right persuasive skills the story could happen anywhere.
I haven’t played the game called Bigger and Better, because I haven’t heard about it before, but now I have to try playing it.
I don’t really know if I’m opportunity hunter or a successive trader, I guess a little of both depending on situation.
In my opinion there is no chance to do something like that in Poland - too many cheaters.
I've never played this game as I have never heard of it. To play it first I would have to believe I can do it and improve my soft skills (as for convincing people to give me "pen for paperclip" might require great soft skills and believing I can do it. If I can't convince myself I won't convince anyone else).
It's hard for me to tell whether I’m opportunity hunter or a successive trader.
I guess it depends on a situation.
No, I haven't played this game so I don't have anything to tell about it.
I can say that I am a pretty good trader. To be a good trader you have to offer something that opposite side wants and if you have that or you make them to want that it's pretty easy.