Collaborative Consumerism

Facing an economic apocalypse a conceptual revolution is taking place. ‘Waste and want’ are being nakedly exposed and collaboratism has its clothes. The economic malaise has spawned a thriving hub of niche communities who aim to serve where others are failing. Where banks fail, Zopa thrives, where Hotels are checking-out , Airbnb is checking-in and where the high-street homogenises , ebay innovates.

These are but some of the collaborative consumerism ideas that are shaping not only the landscape of what we own but how we interact. This wave of interactionary collaboratism will minimilise our purchases, we will become a culture of share, barter and interaction. Our 20th century model of excessive cosumerist ownership will look self aggrandizing and socially awkward compared to a minimalist culture of owning little and sharing a lot.

This may sound like hippy hogwash but allow us to explore the notion for a while: What is it you actually need? I challenge you to assess it? A £15,000 car that sits wasted in your drive for 90% of its life or a £6 an hour car-rental for the necessities?The power tool which gets used for 16 minutes in your entire life but costs you £100 or £3 an hour neighbour share scheme on www.neighbourgoods.com. Remember the TV, well it lost its battle with the internet a long time ago. I mean why wait for you advert soaked tv programme when you can stream it live at any time of the day from anywhere in the world and all for less than a tv licence (Netflix £72 a year - half the price of a £140 TV licence and arguably better content!).

Why own when you can borrow for less?

Make a move to minimise the stuff you own and see how it can maximise your spare time. Last week, I tried an experiment, I removed all the excess kitchen equipment from my flat. I have out just enough cutlery and plates to serve my families needs. I’ve reclaimed hours, freed myself from excessive washing up and removed clutter. A happier, lighter mind and tens of minutes more a day, just from one simple action.

Imagine the possibilities of enacting this throughout your life?

Out of an economic depression a counter societal trend has driven a new vanguard, a vanguard of utility and multifunctionality, of collectivism not individualism, of ourlife not i-life. Whether it be clothing, furniture, space or transport, minimalism provides freedom and peace to reject the stuff in our lives and enjoy the people.