sharability splash
DESCRIPTION
An argument for making sharing a more prominent form of resource allocation.TRANSCRIPT
Perhaps you have been growing increasingly concerned as of late
about global environmental issues
like pollution
loss of biodiversity
climate change
or conflict over scarce natural resources
or more domestic matters
like rampant commercialism and high debt levels
or the perils of increased social isolation
All these complex problems
Are being fueled in large part by a common force
consumption - the process by which we accumulate more stuff
Sure, we can blame advertisers for tempting us
but knowing how many wonderful things there are to be had
can we fault people for wanting to experience them all?
However, as any economist will tell you, we are at an impasse
these limitless desires
are confronted by a fundamental scarcity of resources
everyone cannot simultaneously enjoy what some already have
those resource-intensive luxuries that the rich take for granted
Humanity aspiring to this dream of unbridled material prosperity will beget
nightmares because we cannot yet achieve it
in a sustainable fashion.
But surely you've heard enough about this dilemma...
and have gotten on board the new green bandwagon
maybe not... perhaps these arguments aren't compelling
or now you just feel so fatalistic about the future
that you're verging on something like eco-nihilism
Take heart in this idea: you can have more fun with less stuff
simply by sharing what you already have with others
This may seem childish at first, but just think about it...
how many things in your room have you not touched in months?
and don't forget about all the other stuff in storage
now think about all your friends' rooms
To put it simply
Finding ways to facilitate sharing of our underutilized resources in ways that are
• safe• convenient
• fun
could be an effective strategy for confronting some of the world's biggest
problems.
Here are some existing websites and organizations leading the way...
Plus, the information technologies needed to make sharing easier and more effective are
just now becoming widely available
Sharability.org facilitates conversations and activities centered around current and
future resource sharing initiatives...
Please join in!