Why do we keep talking of the « sharing economy » instead of the « renting economy »?

Airbnb is just one of dozens of companies to describe itself as part of the sharing economy — the idea of using the Internet to create person-to-person, or peer-to-peer, marketplaces that empower everyday people. The enabler — companies like Airbnb — gets a cut of each transaction it facilitates. While some sharing economy platforms promote in-kind trades among members, others, like Airbnb, tend to exchange services for money. Other well-known companies in this genre include car-sharing services Uber and Lyft.

On the surface, « sharing » may sound groovy — hey, it’s San Francisco, after all. But this new economy is creating social dislocation and tension that’s near a boiling point. And, despite the kumbaya-like pronouncements of companies touting sharing services, there’s one mega-force driving them: cash.

And when will we begin to address it for what it is? Renting and not sharing!

Vexed in the city: The ‘sharing’ economy’s hidden toll on San Francisco – CNET.

Can we still call « startups » multinational companies that adopt the worse lobbying practices from their predecessors?

« What Airbnb doesn’t explain is why it is staging protests against the friendly legislation it has been secretly co-authoring since at least January, 2013—or why the company’s demands have changed. According to emails obtained by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, an Airbnb lobbyist pushed San Francisco Supervisor David Chiu’s legislative aides to change the legislation, allowing hosts to rent their homes for up to 120 days per-year. But now Fair to Share’s « members » are lobbying for an 180 day allowance.

In a statement to the Examiner, Airbnb spokesperson Nick Papas said « the company is proud of its part in the campaign » and home sharing is « making The City a better place to live. » »

Via Valleywag : Airbnb is Astroturfing Against Legislation They Helped Write.

Airbnb is Astroturfing Against Legislation They Helped Write

Airbnb lève 500 millions de dollars… pendant ce temps chez Accor…

Airbnb Has Closed Its $500M Round Of Funding At A $10B Valuation, Led By TPG | TechCrunch.

Ca fait 10 milliards de valorisation. Histoire de comparer, j’aimerais bien connaître le montant des investissements dans l’innovation et le tourisme des géants français du secteur – ou les startups qu’ils ont réussi à porter à ce niveau.

Airbnb Has Closed Its 0M Round Of Funding At A B Valuation, Led By TPG | TechCrunch