Sharing to On Demand

“The sharing economy is one of ten ideas that is going to change the world” -Time Magazine

A sharing economy, a relatively newer term to describe a type of economy that is growing rapidly all across the globe. An economy that creates a community of people that share and exchange goods and services (rides, house, food) a concept that has been taught since primary school. “Sharing is caring.”

In smaller communities one can always find friends of friends who are happy to share knowledge of a craft or offer a place to stay in exchange for repaying for material cost or a house warming gift. A sharing economy is that local care on a lager scale. For example couch surfing you create an account and then where ever one travels to in the world you can stay, literally, on someones couch for free, in repayment of cooking a meal, or sharing stories, or a house warming gift.

However wonderful that a dollar free market might sound thats not the case for most “sharing economy” companies. Companies that offer a service but have a set fee for what that service is include Postmates, Airbnb, VRBO, and Lyft these companies are changing a “sharing economy” into something called an “on-demand” economy.

“On-demand” has become one of the American people’s favorite words. From on-demand cable TV to the on demand delivery that Postmates uses.

“Companies like Postmates connect people who want goods and services — whether it’s a meal from a restaurant that doesn’t deliver, a bedroom to stay in for the night or someone to help move a piano — with people who will provide them for a price.-Time Magazine

Considering the fact that most people are online these days an “on-demand” economy makes more sense than that of a “sharing economy.” There is constant change, and the movement from sharing to on-demand is one of those many changes. People are more expectant and are relying on these on demand companies, opposed to sharing.