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about one red paperclip
Did you ever hear about that guy who traded a red paperclip for a house? Well, I'm that guy. Hi. My name is Kyle. I grew up in Belcarra B.C., which is a suburb of Vancouver. I live in Montreal now with my wife Dominique. My whole life I've been real big on projects. Usually fun things that take on an obsessive element to some degree. Most noteworthy of these projects (so far) was the time I started with a red paperclip and traded it for bigger and better things until I wound up with a house. You may have heard about this already. In this paragraph perhaps! Anyhow, It was a silly idea and it kinda turned out to be a big deal I guess. So big that I my personal website is called oneredpaperclip.com So big that the red paperclip has become my de-facto symbol and I'm somewhat known as "the red paperclip guy." It makes for a pleasant ice-breaker whenever the topic of "so what do you do" comes up. But I'll let you in a little secret. I've never had a personal fetish for paperclips, even red ones. In fact, the best thing I ever did was trade that silly red paperclip away in the first place! Such is life. To me, a 'red paperclip' is more of a symbolic thing, an idea that you're ready to launch. A new project about to happen. That spark of insight or inspiration. The most important thing about an idea is to do something with it. Perhaps trade it away to make things happen. It's all quite metaphorical and I could get really deep, but we'll have plenty of time for that later. Please peruse though this site and I hope you find some stuff you enjoy. I try to have fun doing things, and a vast part of that fun is doing stuff and creating things others get a kick out of.
Here's some stuff I do in real life and on the web:
Kyle MacDonald
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeletePlease teach me your ways.
I bow to your wisdom. this idea of yours is absolutely brilliant. go for a house!
ReplyDeletesimply amazing
ReplyDeleteTravel anywhere? You'd better stay where you are. It would seem you have the the finest crop of suckers ever seen right there.
ReplyDeletegenius!
ReplyDeleteYou know... if you do ever manage to trade up for a house, Rawnie and Corrinna will be able to sell that paperclip for at least enough to buy that snowmobile. I like your idea! Keep on trading :D
ReplyDeleteYou, sir, are brilliant and awesome. :) Dude I wonder if more people could do this...we could all just openly barter up with one another for the things we need. That would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. To the educator who explained the basics of commerce, thank you. those who made containers were also called "hoopers" since they put the metal hoop around the barrel. It was a most difficult task to perform.
ReplyDeleteRed paperclips rock.
I've got a great red paperclip if you want to trade up on that snowmobile...
ReplyDeleteCool concept. Keep it up.
Hey, this is really cool! When I was in high school 20 years ago, we had a large party at my house and divided into teams for a "bigger or better" game. Each team started out with a penny and had two hours to return with whatever we could trade for. We ended up with a refrigerator, a washer and dryer, and a set of dining room chairs among other things.
ReplyDeleteI had almost totally forgotten about this event, good luck in your endeavors!
I say, if you can do it, go for it.
ReplyDeleteThe value of property is relative. A million gold $1 coins might be something we would all fight over, but to a man dying of thirst in the desert, they are useless. To him, he would probably trade those coins - and gladly, too! - for lifesaving water.
Just because a trade appears to be inequitable, doesn’t mean that someone got ripped off. They just considered what they were getting to be of more value than what they were giving up.
So to all those who object, stuff it up your arses. If you don’t like it, don’t participate and stay away.
I would never have the patience or the guts to do this, but I admire the effort nonetheless. It is being done in the true spirit of Capitalism, and should be lauded, not condemned.
My only question is : Why stop at a house?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do this too! I fully believe in what you are demonstrating (intentionally or otherwise) and support it 100%... I am going to start my trade up site soon, but I certainly can't afford to travel to each trading spot! Oh well, it may just work anyways :)
ReplyDeletehey man just thought i would check out your website i have played this game befor and am going to be playing it again this summer.
ReplyDeletelast summer a team almost got a golf cart and i ended up with about 30 size 12 sandles.
anyway this game shows how much you can earn from just asking.
keep going in no time you will have the house. garanteed.
little tip if you get two things maybe separate them and trade two different people at a time there for you have two way of "income"
I wish I could have helped at the lower stages of it. Good luck man, great idea.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, Kyle!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, and ignore those who have the impudence to post negative comments. That's the worst trait in humans - jealousy. And it only serves to show how insecure those that display it really are.
x
Ummmm, I'm pretty sure that I freaking LOVE you :D
ReplyDeleteYou make me even more proud to be Canadian!
Hope you get the house.
-muah-
Good man, Surreal to say the least, you are in PCFormat mag in the UK this month. I'd offer to trade you a complete snap-on toolkit but we'd have to wait for the landbridge to reform or an iceage. Good luck from Scotland.
ReplyDeleteYou rock!!!
ReplyDeleteHey y'all, just wanted to pipe up (as an American from Metairie, Louisiana) and say how much I love this site and think the idea's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThis red paper clib fellow shows pluck, as my grandmother would say. Can't wait for the housewarming party. I make a mean spinach dip.
Genius. Well done & Good luck
ReplyDelete"You can spend all your time making money; you can spend all your money making time"
ReplyDeleteThe Eagles - Take it to the Limit
Great Job on a fun idea. Please tell us you are filiming all this for D'Channel or someone.
Haha great idea, hope you get the house. And then get drunk and trade it back for the paperclip.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, that's incredible!! How can you do that?? So brilliant!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you swap people?
ReplyDeleteYou may just be the cleverest person ever to grace the internet sir.
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK GETTING YOUR HOUSE!!
I am cheering for you =]
The very best of luck! This reminds me of the original "million-dollar-homepage" idea by that student in England only a few months ago!
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
:-)
Dude, I've been following this site since you began with it. And I must say : ''I'm impressed!,,
ReplyDeleteI've started this project too, only I began with a signed honkball from 1 of Korea's players. My end goal is to get a motorbike!
I wish you all the luck in the world to get that house! or an island. Or an island with a house!
Good LUCK!
PS : I bet the red paperclip itself will get worth a LOT more than the prize you paid for it at the store. Just because theres a great storyline attached !
this idea is so incredibly awsome you probably deserve a house just for coming up with the idea in the first place. unfortunatley, i do not have a house to give you so i cannot help you fulfill your dream.
ReplyDeleteGo you! ^_^
ReplyDeletecool, very cool. Does it matter where the house is?
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I CAN TRULY SAY I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Not only for what yourr doing but for who you are!! I can't wait till you end up getting an island insted of a house or a house or just an island with a house! Well i <33 u so much & <33 seeing u on tv
ReplyDeleteJust saw you on the news in Australia!
ReplyDeleteMark Hallam
Good for you for having the balls to just go for it. More power to you!
ReplyDeleteYou Sir, are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI woke up this morning and was all to awrare of the eviction notice looming that I just received.
I'm about to lose everything and live under a bridge because I can't get my hands around $1,000.
Your idea gives me a little hope, Thanks
hey man this is by far the best idea ive seen for a long while. ur story just made the prime time news here in Australia its huge....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lun.com/modulos/catalogo/paginas/2006/04/19/LUCPRIN14LU1904.htm
ReplyDeleteYou just appeared in a very popular newspaper here in Chile, Southamerika, "Las Ultimas Noticias".
Congratulations!!!
dude that is TOTALLY awesome
ReplyDeletewho knows,you might even end up with more than a house
and all for one paperclip
WOW
keep it up, thats awesome!!!
Cool info! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kyle. As I told u in an e-mail some weeks ago, I found ur idea to barter a paper clip for a house great. Then I deceided to do the same in Brazil. Check out my site:
ReplyDeletewww.clipeazul.com
clipe azul = blue paper clip :)
Good luck
What a story !! I have followed you since day one and am totally happy for you that you accomplished what you set out to do !! I have throughly enjoyed following the story and most of all "it made me smile". The people of Kypling "Thank You" we need more people like you in this world !! Kind, loving, caring, and most of all believing and having faith in what Kyle can and has done !! Wish I could be there for the party, but Texas is a LONG way away. And by the way SIGN THAT PETITION FOR ALICE !! As a long time rocker fan bith my husband and I we believe and have faith you will get-her-done !!
ReplyDeleteSusan Manis
sdmanis@yahoo.com
What a great story. Good luck to you in your future endeavors, but with a creative mind like this, you won't need much luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Kyle. I would like to say that my site (based on your idea) has an English version now :)
ReplyDeleteNow everybody can understand it :)
www.clipeazul.com
Thank you man!
Hi. You can visit the English version of my site here:
ReplyDeletehttp://clipeazul.info/indexen.php
I would like to say your story is amazing. And the fact that by your trades you not only helped yourelf to your dream you helped others along the way and made them feel good about themselves. I saw your story and admire your pluck and courage for what you have done. You are a insperation to others. Keep Dreaming and Good Luck from Australia.
ReplyDeletedude ive been reading the things ppl have said and ppl all over the world no u!!!
ReplyDeleteaustralia england chile man ur 1 popular dude dude
cya later from australia
I think you have done a great marketing strategy. This is an example of marketing without money. You surely have attracted the media attention. I salute you. Could you please advise me in creating link between our blog.
ReplyDeleteDavid Herlambang
MarketingFirst
http://www.marketingfirst.blogspot.com
wow. i read your book and was amazed. so amazed i am actually doing a speech on you for my english GCSE. it's worth 7%! you are 7% of my English GCSE! wow. thank you for showing the nicer side of the human race.
ReplyDeletehey kyle
ReplyDeleteyou inspired me so much im going to do trade aswell. im strating with buttons..but dont be fooled they are not ordinary buttons! check them out at my site
http://houseyhouse-4-mikymouse.blogspot.com
You're book made my day. Literally.
ReplyDeleteI could not put it down.
It was epic.
The hope, the smirks that turned into laughs, and the tears...
(Not too many, don't wory.)
Keep it up.
I'm sure that with your determination, you could one day receive an offer for the title of King of Scotland, if they do that sort of thing these days.
Nothing is impossible, righty-o?
And thank you so very much for a great new outlook on, well, everything.
I'll never look at red paperclips the same way again.
right now i am in a very bad way i have no clue how long i will have a place to live i wish i was smart enough to do something like this.
ReplyDelete~rachel
The story of this site was used in a sermon last night in a youth rally in Kentucky. The power of creativity never ceases to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteawsome how do you trade thou
ReplyDelete