The Ownership Liberation Front, founded during the mid 1990s, was the brainchild - or brain-miscarriage - of Craig Egan and Jesse Kimmerling. It was one of those nights. In the spasm of an altered brain state, it became all too obvious: our society was overly consumed with the concept of ownership, and we had all lost our sense of humor concerning the fleetingness of life.

Something had to be done.

The idea of shocking someone into thinking differently is nothing new. In fact, man has become so dogmatic about so many things that shock is often required to change most minds. The problem, though, is that a simple shock just isn't enough to alter the sort of programming that ownership has behind it. You just can't give someone a nudge and expect them to give up their home.

"These thing must start small," it was decided. "It also must be the kind of shock that will grow upon itself, even if it does so slowly and with only a small grouping of people."

Thus, the following ritual was born:

* Get someone to hand over a dollar to you. Due to societal conditioning, this may be the most difficult step. We suggest that you do not outright ask for it. Try something like, "Hey, wanna see something neat with a dollar bill?" People love magic tricks - even if it turns out to be of the disappearance variety.

* Flatten out the dollar bill, and hold it in front of you, George side towards the recipient of enlightenment. Optimally, the position of the cash will be held in such a way that it will seem like both you and George are making eye contact with the other person.

* Make your speech. This is the fun part, but also the most important. Practice the speech, put it in your own words, but don't falter and don't laugh. The speech should go something like this:

I am a member of the Ownership Liberation Front. We at the Ownership Liberation Front feel that too many of us are caught up in the concept of ownership. Ownership is rather silly, seeing as how it was all here when we arrived and will all be here when we leave. The idea that any of this is actually 'ours' just doesn't seem right. But we also recognize that some people are rather fond of ownership, and would like it all too much if we went around taking their stuff, so we came up with a compromise. We feel that it's perfectly all right to take somebody else's property, as long as the person you are taking it from thinks that it's funny. So, if you can honestly tell me that it's not funny that I'm about to steal your dollar, I'll be forced to give it back."

* Grin, but don't laugh.

* If the person laughs, they obviously have given their consent to you taking the dollar. If they claim that they don't find it funny at all, give them back their money.

When this ritual is done properly, most people find it either amusing or enlightening, sometimes even both. It feels great to you, because you have helped humanity and made a buck in the process.

Sometimes, though, people won't find it funny. Maybe they just can't spare the buck, or maybe they're just caught up in the whole ownership thing. The former is a respectable stance - hey, I've been there - but the latter could possibly use a little extra push. When someone declines to find your theft humorous, try step two:

* Give back the dollar.

* Ask the person, "So since you are so big on ownership, might I ask, 'Who owns you?'"

* If the person answers, "I own me," then let them be on their way with their beliefs intact.

* If the person answers, "Nobody owns me," then announce, "Well, then I claim you!" It might help to have some "I own you" stickers handy to add to the effect. Offer to sell the person back to him or herself for a dollar.

The greatest thing about the O.L.F. is the multi-level marketing similarities. Anyone who has "lost" anything of "value" to an O.L.F. representative becomes an automatic member. One single dollar of investment can easily lead to millions of dollars of cash and enlightenment over a lifetime!

Advanced techniques: When you get really good, consider setting up a booth at a park or street fair. Put up signs reading, "Ownership Liberation here, ask for details" or "Wouldn't it be funny if I stole your money!" Hand out pamphlets and manifestos. Sell T-Shirts. Bonus points for stealing from police officers!