NationStates Jolt Archive

Library offers imam, gypsy, gay person for 'loan'

If you think all lesbians are sexually frustrated or all animal rights activists aggressive, then a Swedish library project that allows you to 'borrow' a real live human being may provide some useful insight.

Ulla Brohed, of the Malmoe Library in southern Sweden, says the Living Library project will enable people to come face-to-face with their prejudices in the hopes of altering their preconceived notions.

"You sometimes hear people's prejudices and you realise that they are just uninformed," she said.

Nine people, including a homosexual, an imam, a journalist, a Muslim woman and a gypsy, will be available at the Malmoe Library for members of the public to "borrow" for a 45-minute conversation in the library's outdoor cafe.

"Maybe not all journalists are know-it-all and sensationalist, just unafraid and curious," Ms Brohed said.

"Maybe not all animal rights activists are angry and intolerant but intelligent and committed."

Mr Brohed says the nine "items" on loan were not hard to find but admits that they will be paid "a small sum" for their efforts.

If the experiment is a success, the Malmoe Library may repeat it later this year.

Agence France-Presse [AFP]
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1439257.htm

A library from which you can borrow people.

This strikes me as bizzare, a bad source of information, mildly immoral and bizzare.

Then again I have always wanted to borrow a terrorist for a conversation. I wonder if the keep any of those on the shelves...

Those wacky Swedes!

This is a great idea for an experiment. I hope it's a success.

http://www2.malmo.stadsbibliotek.org/nivelo/normal.po?sida=1012#kvitt

"Vi lånar ut en dansk, djurrättsaktivist, homosexuell, imam, journalist, muslimsk kvinna, resande, romsk kvinna, synskadad
Plats: Café Arom, utanför stadsbibliotekets entré"

You can borrow a Dane, an animal rights activist, a homosexual, an imam, a journalist, a Muslim woman, a "transient" (not a homeless person, but more like a modern nomad), a gypsy woman and a blind person.

I think it's questionable they're paying people for it. But I've been involved in something similar once. We (a group of punkers & skinheads) rented ourselves to people to raise some money. People got to say whatever crap they wanted in return. Suprisingly many people bought into our little scheme, but very few of them actually talked with any of us. Most of it was just verbal abuse. We briefly tried to rent ourselves as handymen, but I guess people thought we'd mug them or something..

Anyway, I think it's a good idea, but I don't understand why there's money involved.

Anyway, I think it's a good idea, but I don't understand why there's money involved.

They get a small sum from the library for their time, not from the people that borrow them. It's how it's done in Sweden - you get a "small sum" for donating blood, for instance; it's a cultural thing. And when they say "small sum," they usually do mean small. I wouldn't expect them to get more than perhaps $15-$20.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1439257.htm

A library from which you can borrow people.

This strikes me as bizzare, a bad source of information, mildly immoral and bizzare.

Then again I have always wanted to borrow a terrorist for a conversation. I wonder if the keep any of those on the shelves...

I could use a 19-22 yr old girl of scandanavian descent, possibly a former member of the Swedish Bikini team. English not necessary. In fact, speaking not necessary.

They get a small sum from the library for their time, not from the people that borrow them. It's how it's done in Sweden - you get a "small sum" for donating blood, for instance; it's a cultural thing. And when they say "small sum," they usually do mean small. I wouldn't expect them to get more than perhaps $15-$20.


Yeah, but the late fee is probably where they get the borrower.

Yeah, but the late fee is probably where they get the borrower.

It's a public library, so the late fees are capped. :D

I really like the thought behind it. It may not work out perfectly... but it's a beautiful thing to strive for tolerance and understanding.

They get a small sum from the library for their time, not from the people that borrow them. It's how it's done in Sweden - you get a "small sum" for donating blood, for instance; it's a cultural thing. And when they say "small sum," they usually do mean small. I wouldn't expect them to get more than perhaps $15-$20.
I know that, but for some people that amount is enough for them to consider it a job. In my opinion, it defies the purpose if you do it because you need the money. Besides, I fail to see what place money has in open & honest debate. It kills the credibility in my opinion.

It's a public library, so the late fees are capped. :D


Would you have to have them neutered or get their shots?

Is there a waiting list for the massage therapist or the chef?

Now that's a super cool idea. Can you check out more than one and have a party?

I know that, but for some people that amount is enough for them to consider it a job. In my opinion, it defies the purpose if you do it because you need the money. Besides, I fail to see what place money has in open & honest debate. It kills the credibility in my opinion.

Well, your opinion seems to be uninformed and prejudiced.

Would you have to have them neutered or get their shots? Is there a waiting list for the massage therapist or the chef?

I only know that there's an extra charge if you bend their spines.

Well, your opinion seems to be uninformed and prejudiced.
Uhm... May I ask why?

Much like our own "ask a...." threads. Anything sweden can do NS can do better.

It's a brilliant idea! I just hope the loaners won't abuse the system. E.g. their purpose is not to learn something but just verbally abuse someone they think they hate.

Uhm... May I ask why?

It's apparent that you think that them getting a symbolic amount of money for their time - a custom prevalent in Sweden - would kill public debate in, well, Sweden. You also fail to adequatly explain how them getting a symbolic amount of money for it would achieve something like that and why this experiment should be dismissed because of it. It seems to me that all you did was read "they'll get a small sum" and dismissed the entire thing because, well, because of some reason I just don't understand.

Good idea... but why a Dane..?

Good idea... but why a Dane..?

Sweden and Denmark have a history of animosity, and there are many prejudiced opinions of Danish people in Sweden, and of Swedish people in Denmark. Of course, it is weird that anyone would have to borrow a Dane like this in Malmö - from whence you can actually see Copenhagen across the Öresund (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oresund) - of all places.

I only know that there's an extra charge if you bend their spines.

*L*

And you're probably responsible for cleaning them before you return them.

I don't see a problem really. Anything that helps breakdown stereotypes and promote communication between people of different beliefs and lifestyles seems to me to be a good thing.
Even if the idea of renting someone out seems a little distasteful, they're only prostituting their opinions :cool:

Sweden and Denmark have a history of animosity, and there are many prejudiced opinions of Danish people in Sweden, and of Swedish people in Denmark. Of course, it is weird that anyone would have to borrow a Dane like this in Malmö - from whence you can actually see Copenhagen across the Öresund (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oresund) - of all places.
I know, that's why I asked. I would have thought a typical Finn straight from Slussen would have been a better choice.

It's apparent that you think that them getting a symbolic amount of money for their time - a custom prevalent in Sweden - would kill public debate in, well, Sweden. You also fail to adequatly explain how them getting a symbolic amount of money for it would achieve something like that and why this experiment should be dismissed because of it. It seems to me that all you did was read "they'll get a small sum" and dismissed the entire thing because, well, because of some reason I just don't understand.
You completely misunderstand me Fass. First of all, I think the idea is great, as I stated in my first post.
Secondly, I never said anything about money killing debate in Sweden.
Trirdly, I only said it undermines the credibility of the initiv.

For an example of why I voice that concern, try watching a German daytime talkshow. The participants are there because they get payed. Not because they have any interest in being there or having a debate.
My concern is that something similar may happen. I'm not saying that it is bound to happen, just that it can, and thus doesn't serve to further the credibility of the initiv.

I'm not dismissing it at all. Let me restate yet again: I think the idea is great.

I know, that's why I asked. I would have thought a typical Finn straight from Slussen would have been a better choice.

I don't know about that - Finns are an "official" minority here and I don't know anyone who hasn't actually met one. For Malmö, perhaps a Finn would have been a better choice, but for the entire country, a Dane is more "exotic." I don't know how the people behind this were thinking.

You completely misunderstand me Fass. First of all, I think the idea is great, as I stated in my first post.
Secondly, I never said anything about money killing debate in Sweden.
Trirdly, I only said it undermines the credibility of the initiv.

For an example of why I voice that concern, try watching a German daytime talkshow. The participants are there because they get payed. Not because they have any interest in being there or having a debate.
My concern is that something similar may happen. I'm not saying that it is bound to happen, just that it can, and thus doesn't serve to further the credibility of the initiv.

I'm not dismissing it at all. Let me restate yet again: I think the idea is great.

You'd have a point, if only it wasn't a symbolic amount. I don't feel that that undermines anyone's credibility.

You'd have a point, if only it wasn't a symbolic amount. I don't feel that that undermines anyone's credibility.
Alright. Point conceded then. I trust you know a lot more about Sweden than I do ;)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1439257.htm



Then again I have always wanted to borrow a terrorist for a conversation. I wonder if the keep any of those on the shelves...


You might find them in a whole under the floor. Of course regardless of whether they do store terrorists you will have to go to the UN security coucil, then to the shelf marked Gautanimo Bay-

I know, that's why I asked. I would have thought a typical Finn straight from Slussen would have been a better choice.
We certainly would need both A Russian and a Swede. And NOT a gay Swede.

Alright. Point conceded then. I trust you know a lot more about Sweden than I do ;)

OMG. I haven't seen anyone cede a point on NS for a very long time. I shall live on this for a while. :fluffle:

We certainly would need both A Russian and a Swede. And NOT a gay Swede.

Well, there went my chance of a free trip to Finland.

/Yes, I know of the "joke" you're referring to.

And NOT a gay Swede. What do you mean..? We'd probably be too drunk to notice.

I just luv stereotypes...

OMG. I haven't seen anyone cede a point on NS for a very long time. I shall live on this for a while. :fluffle:
I'm stubborn, not braindead luv. I usually admit when I haven't got a leg to stand on ;)

What do you mean..? We'd probably be too drunk to notice.

I just luv stereotypes...
By the booze we bought from the Russian.

Kinda reminds me of Brothel of Slating Intellectual Lusts in Planescape: Torment...

They get a small sum from the library for their time, not from the people that borrow them. It's how it's done in Sweden - you get a "small sum" for donating blood, for instance; it's a cultural thing. And when they say "small sum," they usually do mean small. I wouldn't expect them to get more than perhaps $15-$20.
A small sum. Pfft. Here in the good ol’ US of A you can sell your blood!

YEEHAW!!!!!

Think of how many books are never returned to public libraries. Do we really want to give a person the chance to abscond with a live human being just because he's got a library card?

Think of how many books are never returned to public libraries. Do we really want to give a person the chance to abscond with a live human being just because he's got a library card?


Yeah-and then you find them under the spare tire in the trunk of your car before you sell it-What are you supposed to do with them then.

People seem to be in favour of a library from which you can borrow people.

Do NSers have that much trouble getting dates the ordinary way??