The Gift Shop is being constructed. Here's an introduction

the something constructive gift shop is a little different, so proceed with caution. it's a gift shop. a gift shop. not only do we expect you to come here to get gifts for your loved ones, but also we do expect you to receive gift from us. that's right: every product in the gift shop has already been paid for. that's why we call it a gift shop.

so what's your role?

you come here, order whatever gifts you'd like to pass along, pay for the shipping and fondling ("there's no such thing as a free fondling"), type in a note for your recipient, and relax.

or, maybe you come back another day, smirking, and donate towards future gifts for people you've never met to give to people they love. it's easy. let's get started:

[note: giftshop is not yet open for business (1/15/09)]

• I WANT TO REDEEM LOVELY GIFTS THAT MY ANONYMOUS FRIENDS HAVE ALREADY COVERED
• I WANT TO DONATE TOWARDS LOVELY GIFTS FOR PEOPLE I'VE NEVER MET
• I DON'T GET THIS AT ALL

I don't understand you people

We understand. The gift shop is not, yet, the norm. But just wait: everybody wins. The hardworking artists offer a few copies of their work, in the spirit of love and marketing. People who are initially attracted to the promise of "freedom" catch the bug and start donating towards gifts as a sport in itself. The virus spreads. Just like we've made a pastime out of stamp collecting and scrapbooking, we can creature a culture of giving without expectation of receiving, just for the love of it.

The artists get paid. The donors feel great. Good work spreads through the world. Responsibility is assured through confidence and shipping. Humans are connected. We encourage you to call with questions and know that everyone in the gift shop has a personal connection to the work.

We know you can cheat. The point is not to build systems that are foolproof, but to give ourselves the opportunity not to be foolish. If you want to call once, order 3 copies of "sometimes we walk alone" delievered to your home address, and then call again with your old-lady voice and donate 3 copies of "sometimes we walk alone" to some anonymous future recipient, you can do that. But we think that, after a couple of rounds, you'll want to try the new way (the gift shop future). And we think that you'll like it.

Now:

[note: giftshop is not yet open for business (1/15/09)]

• I WANT TO REDEEM LOVELY GIFTS THAT MY ANONYMOUS FRIENDS HAVE ALREADY COVERED
• I WANT TO DONATE TOWARDS LOVELY GIFTS FOR PEOPLE I'VE NEVER MET
• I'M SENDING YOU AN EMAIL, BUDDY