ANSA - by Alessandra Magliaro. Technology dominates our society, and we are all aware of this, from contactless payments on trains, buses, and subways to smartphones that can do almost anything. Yet, a primal instinct beats within us, and it makes itself felt from time to time. Young generations, and not only them, are going crazy for "swap parties," outdoor or indoor gatherings in public places, commercial establishments, or private homes, where friends and friends of friends meet, or people arrive based on word-of-mouth or social media posts, often complete strangers. What is it all about? A "swap party" is essentially the exchange, without money, of clothes, accessories, and objects. Stripping away the English jargon, we're talking about bartering, the primitive form of economic life when the direct exchange of goods for goods, without the use of money, was the norm, both to overcome the lack of certain goods and because it was the only known form. It's almost paradoxical to see that bartering has become fashionable again in a form that we delude ourselves into thinking is modern, made "cool," perhaps with a DJ set and aperitifs, in the "swap party." Events like this are happening all over Italy, and two young organizers from Rome, Adri and Valeria, told us about them. It's a game, a new way to meet people, but also an ethical and sustainable project related to fashion, starting from the boom of vintage items on online platforms, to reject, in a way, the commercialization of used goods, returning to a fair exchange where much high-quality Italian fashion ends up, and would otherwise be literally wasted. The "swap party" is a kind of conscious response to our conscience about the dark side of fast fashion. The pleasant atmosphere, the drinks, the music, and the friendships do the rest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices