I just submitted this as a question to Howard Rheingold for the session on disruption.

Listed here for anyone to comment on Information Barter.

• Given that empowerment of disempowered people is a positive disruptive force;
• Given that everyone knows something (for example, the local rural bus timetable);
• Given that it is empowering to share what you know, to have others value your knowledge;
• Given that people value things more if the things (including information) are not provided free;

Then what about information barter? - the process where information is traded for other information.

The CyberInstitute is adding to the “cornucopia of the commons” with online information for small businesses in developing countries, and investigating the use of information barter.

For information that is already in the system there are reputational tools. However, for new information coming in, the information barter system is being set up so that it is all judged equally, to encourage everyone to participate, and specifically to empower people.

What do you think?