Each time you use a transportation company like Uber, rent a flat using Airbnb, or rent a car or anything else using dalinuosi.lt and not from a huge international company, you can bravely say: the age of sharing economy is finally here.
Sharing economy is one of the most popular terms used these days, but what does it mean? The main similarity between previously mentioned platforms – you get a service from other people like you. The same person can be both a service provider or a service user.
In addition, people that are participating in sharing economy are the patrons of a brighter future. It is well known that this movement is radically changing the way we look at capitalism and consumerism.
Did you ever stop and think that some time ago sharing economy was also a thing? Let us go back to 1960’s – the hippie times. Of course, at that time there were not mobile apps or even the internet. However, in those times property was considered theft and profits – evil. It was declared that consumerism was harmful to humans and to the planet. People were preparing to create an alternative society, whose economy was based on sharing and sharing everything: their possessions, machines, tools and even your body, mind and your spouse.
Today, Uber can be considered the undisputed leader of sharing economy. In 1960’s the hippy alternative was to stand at the side of road with your thumb up. All you had to do was stand in the cold and rain for a couple of hours till a happy and friendly driver picks you up on his way to somewhere. Another strong warrior is Airbnb. In 1960’s it was normal to sleep in someone else’s home, whether it’s a friend or a complete stranger. This way people traveled the world for many years and did not have a single thought about needing to stay at a hotel. Today these people are called nomads. If you returned to your home and saw a bearded, sweaty man sleeping in your bed – it was considered rude and inconsiderate to get mad or tell him to leave. The rule was simple: what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine.
