Inky economy: cultural production and consumption in North American letterboxing communities
2011 Spring. ; Includes bibliographical references. ; Letterboxing is a 150 year old hobby that involves treasure hunting, clues, hiking and orienteering. From its roots in the Dartmoor region of England, this practice migrated to the United States in the 1990s and burst into popularity through the use of online resources to connect, educate, and inspire letterboxers. North American letterboxing is a modern incarnation of this old practice that combines the connective power of digital media with the traditional artistry and creativity of this hobby. By providing opportunities for both production and consumption, letterboxing creates its own system of value that can mediate, resist and reinforce capitalistic structures. Using engaged ethnography, interviews, and a broad-scale survey, this thesis draws on theories from political economy, art, and community-building to discuss the ways in which these hobbyists use virtual and traditional letterboxes to creates value. Examining both the production and consumption of letterboxing practices provides insight into how this hobby is both reflective of and distinct from broader American systems of value creation.