The "Sharing" Economy - What's NOT to Like About It?

Thursday April 9, 7 pm How Apps are reshaping our neighborhoods and transforming our city.

For every "sharing" economy venture you have heard of, there are ten more vying to "disrupt" every aspect of our local economy. Car sharing companies such as GetAround, other businesses such as Monkey Parking, and short term rental favorite, AirBnB, have identified "gold" in the intermediation between buyer and seller. Who benefits? Who loses? First in a series.

By Christin Evans, Merchant Liason, HANC Board

At our next meeting on Thursday, April 9th, beginning at 7 pm at the Park Branch Library (1833 Page near Cole, in San Francisco), the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council (HANC) kicks off the first in a multi-month series where we will learn about and discuss the so-called “sharing” economy. Our first program in the series will seek to introduce the new apps reshaping our neighborhood and city.

We will discuss how, building on the success of peer-to-peer sites such as Craigslist & EBay and of the online rentals venture Netflix, entrepreneurs identified “gold” in the intermediation between buyer and seller and lessor and lessee. And, why our neighborhood is ground zero for many of these emerging ventures beta-testing their products. Whether it be car sharing companies such as GetAround who have entered into an agreement to lease dedicated parking spots from the city, or short-term rental company AirBnB which has created an economic incentive to spur evictions, we are feeling their impact.

For every “sharing” economy venture you have heard of there are ten more vying to “disrupt” every aspect of our local economy including: Chariot, which provides an app-based shuttle alternative for Muni commuters; Munchery/SpoonRocket/Sprig providing alternative food delivery choices; Taskrabbit providing personal assistance for running errands and handywork services, and many, many more. These services tend to be fast, efficient and lower cost alternatives to traditional solutions – and frequently they are marketed with green/environmental or altruistic sensibilities (AirBnB’s CEO has claimed he is helping us achieve world peace by simply getting people into each other’s homes). So what’s not to like?

In our overview we will discuss how altruistic these companies actually are… as they often economically benefit a small number of mostly white men. Their models can be predatory, displacing traditional work performed by protected and organized employees with the use of independent contractors who are not subject to minimum wage and other important protections. They flaunt local regulations and laws and they seek to minimize or avoid taxation altogether. New laws and city policies are being defined right now, primarily with the heavy hand of the new ventures they will benefit. So how should local citizenry engage in this rapidly changing environment and what should we demand of our local officials to ensure these ventures are not permitted to externalize all risk & cost?

At the meeting we will also watch a short preview [about 10 minutes] of a documentary film, Shareconomy which gives an overview of the workers who are embracing this non-traditional work and their reasons for doing so. We will also discuss the questions which need answers as we can project out the long-term consequences of more consumers and workers embracing these ventures. Join us for what promises to be an educational and timely discussion.