So, about this “sharing” economy... I’m trying to wrap my head around it.
I love the idea of exchanging resources. If you have a lawn mower and my yard’s turning into the Serengeti, (as in tall grass of), I’m all for a little app to help us work something out.
This way of doing business could go a long way in helping us reduce the amount of stuff we need and make better use of the stuff we have — be it a car or a lawn mower.
I also love the grassroots nature of direct interactions. We’ve allowed a lot of bureaucracy to develop in our consumer society. Think of what’s involved for every individual on your street or in your complex to buy a, say, power drill, given how often most of us use one.
And, if you do go out and buy one, where do you keep it? I have bikes spilling into the backyard as it is.
Last Friday, we published a feature about a woman who started a website that connects buyers and sellers in the real estate market, essentially cutting out the real estate agent. She said it’s a way to, among other things, undercut the hoarding of information (the past purchase price of a property) only available to realtors. She argues there’s no reason such data shouldn’t be available to the public.
In today’s paper, we have a story about an Uber-style ride service operating in town.
Again, if someone has a car and extra time, why shouldn’t they download an app that connects them with someone who needs a lift? A little money on the side probably doesn’t hurt either.
But here’s the rub.
For sure, professions can be territorial and set up licences and impose barriers just to protect their turf — realtors certainly aren’t the only ones guilty of that. However, those licences and regulations can also protect us.
I actually bought my home without a realtor, and I don’t know that I actually saved money. Some good advice might have helped me.
And frankly, I like knowing that the stranger whose car I’m climbing into has had a criminal record check, and their vehicle has been inspected and is properly insured.
Moreover, I don’t like the idea of helping to undercut peoples’ ability to make a living. If I’m saving money because we’re using our resources more efficiently, or because we’re streamlining systems, or because I have access to more information, that’s great.
But if my savings are the result of people working for next to nothing, while making it impossible for others to make a living, I’m less enthused.
There’s no doubt, apps and other technologies are shaking the foundations of how we do business — nothing wrong with that.
But with any shake-up, there’s going to be fallout. It’s worth considering who gets what share of the sharing economy.
