Subversive Gifts

I was invited into a local gift-economy group on Facebook the other day. It was suggested to me by a neighbour up the road, and I figured I might as well join. Checking out their about page, it was clear that this group is a strict gift giving group. No barter and no credit is allowed. Gifts have to be given without any expectation of any return favour, which limits its economic value to only that which can be given away without pain.

I can't think of an awful lot of stuff that can be given away in this way, but there are a few things that fit this bill. There's good quality stuff that can no longer be used by, such as children's clothes, miss-purchases, and tools or kitchenware that is no longer in use. Also, any kind of stuff that serves as personal promotion, be it product samples, gimmicks or books. Finally, there's surplus food that must either be given away or thrown away.

Of all these things, the only items worth giving away to strangers were in my case two paper copies of a book I helped author. This fits into the personal promotion category. My work on gravity is mentioned in the book together with some of my views on astronomy and geology. The two copies I received from Andrew Johnson were from the start meant to be given away. However, the book is such a deviation from orthodox thinking related to Earth and gravity that I could not think of anyone to give it to. The paper copies ended up in my bookshelf where they have been collecting dust for more than a year. But that has now changed.

The response to my offer to give away two copies of this particular book was immediate, and two individuals are soon coming over, each to get their own copy. Part of the reason for the quick response may be the fact that this book has done rather well. It has good reviews. As a fringe science book, it's quite a hit, and I think I know why.

Fringe views are often associated with politics. This is especially true for Andrew Johnson who has unorthodox views on everything from 9/11 to the climate. This means that his books are only read by those who already believe in his conclusions. Very few people read this kind of books for the sheer enjoyment of the alternative view. However, in the case of gravity and geology there's no obvious political message attached. People can read the book for themselves, follow Johnson's logic and check the evidence for themselves, without ever having to deal with a voice in the back of their minds that either agrees or disagrees purely on principle. But paradoxically, this very fact makes the book all the more subversive.

Andrew Johnson is very thorough, has a great story telling voice and a logical mind. He's nothing like the stereotypic conspiracy theorist presented in the media. Furthermore, the evidence in support of a hollow and expanding Earth are numerous and compelling. The reader cannot avoid thinking that there might be some truth to this alternative view, and if this is the case for gravity and geology, why not other things as well?

The book is an eye-opener. It reveals the fact that much that we are taught as facts are mere opinions, some of which are demonstrably false. We know that gravity cannot pull matter together to form stars and planets. We know that dinosaurs couldn't roam the Earth under today's gravity, and we know that continents are much older than sea-beds. The list of facts that are under-communicated and contrary to dogma is surprisingly long. Once this is realized by readers, other more controversial views may also find a hearing, and therein lies the subversive power of this book.

Tin foil hat

By Rory112233 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link