gift-economics

When can gifting be of "self-interest"? I mean it in the expanded vision proposed here by @aviationdoctor.eth. A long term, generational and more interdependent view of "self".

Love this line of thought. When can gifting be of self-interest, according to an expanded view of "self"?

In the right contexts of interdependence, I think there need be no contradiction at all between self-interest and the common interest. Gift cultures can further both of these simultaneously.

Artists are a good example of this. Typically their work is most valuable when considered in gift terms. Gifting to trusted and talented artists in ways that facilitate their art can be a way of leveraging gift-giving so that the results ultimately serve whole communities of art fans.

In volunteer-work communities I've often heard it said that “it isn’t service unless both people are being served.” 

In other words, the work should give back as much (or more) to the service providers as it takes from them... in whatever form that may be. 

If it doesn't — if on balance the work leaves the volunteers chronically drained and demoralized, rather than effective and re-energized — there's a problem. 

Maybe they're doing the wrong type of volunteer work for them, working under inhospitable conditions that operate at cross-purposes, or navigating structures that extract value from their work. Or all of the above.