part of the problem of figuring this out is the kind of transaction happening. you seem to define the transaction as something that needs to be evenly distributed among all members. because as i understand it, that's the only way the premise can be corrupted, by producing uneven (unfair?) outputs for the members.

but i see that differently. people join a group because they get something out of it, sure. but what they get out of it is being part of a community and contributing to a common goal. that some people contribute more and others less does not matter. at least in the groups i was or am in. we joined the linux user group because we believe in the ideals of FOSS. some may help others, but that's not the reason for joining. same goes for religious groups. the goal of those groups, the motivation to participate is not the transaction. it's the belief in the underlying principles. these groups will fall apart if they fail to attract new members, but the ideals, if they matter, will survive.