freecycle

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As cool as Freecycle is, it’s gotten to the point where I just automatically delete the daily emails, because I don’t really need anything, I don’t have anything free to give away and reading them fills me with such rage over the entitlement of some of our fellow city dwellers.

Sometimes, though, I take a peek at them…and find myself filling with rage yet again. Here’s what came in today:

WANTED – iPod Touch (xxxx)
need this not for fun but for work – so, it’s URGENT..
if you have one you do not need/use – PLEASE let me know…
thanks in advance.

Someone please tell me what kind of job absolutely requires an iPod Touch. Either this employer is completely clueless on what the iPod Touch is, or there really is a job out there that requires you to download apps, play games, listen to music, check your email and surf the Internet (but only if you have access to a WiFi connection).

I think these iPods are stupid to begin with (I still don’t understand the purpose of having one, unless you like browsing the web on a tiny device only where you have Wi-Fi) but a job that requires one? PLEASE.

WANTED: Any Wii Accessories (xxxxx)
Looking for any unwanted wii accessories such as extra controllers, guitar hero guitars/mics/ drums, mario kart wheels, etc.

No. Sure, our Wii is gathering dust (but only because I need to replace the batteries on my Fit board and I’m too scared to see what happens when I finally step on it), but there is no way in hell you’re getting our remotes for free.

Wanted: iPhone or iPod Touch (xxxx)
I’m looking for a working used iPhone or iPod Touch. I’m in Downtown LA but can arrange to meet anywhere within reason in a public space like Starbucks.

I’m guessing some people will be tossing their old iPhone into the old junk drawer. Would much appreciate if you would consider giving me your hand-me-down.

Thanks!

Okay. I kind of understand the thought process behind this one. New, improved and cooler iPhone 3GS comes out, which means current iPhone owners will upgrade in a hurry, abandoning their old phones to rot in some dark, empty drawer.

Except that most iPhone users will have to fork over $4oo to $500 to get the 3GS, while their current phone works better than ever with the new 3.0 firmware and still sells for almost $100.  So why the hell would someone give away their iPhone for free? WHY?

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I wanted to post this yesterday, but real life got in the way. Plus, sometimes the Internet can be really boring or annoying or both, and there aren’t enough pictures of baby polar bears to make up for it.

But I found this awesome post on LA’s Freecycle community. If you don’t know what Freecycle is, then you’re not really missing out on anything. It’s a nationwide group that tries to lessen our impact on landfills by allowing people to “offer” their unwanted items to others instead of merely throwing them away. You can also post “wanted” items that you need that people may not use anymore, etc etc. Overall, it’s awesome. We all accumulate junk and it’s the perfect avenue to clean out your life, as well as provide for others. I hate hate hate hate throwing things away (don’t worry, I am NOT A HOARDER) and Freecycle gave me the opportunity to recycle old snowboarding gear, rugs, curtains, routers, etc.

The key is to NOT buy new things after you freecycle them, because that just defeats the purpose.

The other important note is that you’re not supposed to be all greedy, illogical and stupid. You’re not supposed to request free services, or solicit pity for your sorry life. For example, this guy Bill, who posted the below:

Wanted: iPhone 90046
Posted by: “Bill”
Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:32 am
I dropped my iPhone out of my jacket in a cab I was in Saturday nite
and it was ‘missing’ when I called the cab company 20 minutes later.

Your generosity would be GREATLY appreciated.

At first I thought this was a not-funny April Fool’s Joke. Then I saw that it was actually posted Monday morning.

WTF, Bill? Last time I checked, iPhones were still pretty popular and NOT taking up space in our landfills. People aren’t giving this shit away for free, and nor are they throwing them out. Our generosity would be greatly appreciated?? Really? Really. Well, guess what. Generosity isn’t reusable trash, so rethink your priorities and pony up the cash to buy yourself a new jacket with better pockets.

This beats the other post I found ages ago, where someone asked for a horse and a Segway. I wish I was kidding, but I’m not.

I hate humans. Baby polar bears all the way!

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