Today's society is filled with concern for a lack of money and resources. As Danielle Sacks' article details, some people are increasing their sharing to cut back on costs and waste while creating a neighborly environment. They will share everything from office space to nannies. Yet, while the friendly world seems nice in theory it also creates an insecure reality.
Imagine trading in your gas-guzzling, money-draining auto for a membership with Zipcar, the increasingly popular car-sharing service. To drive you need to reserve your car using internet access - obviously only booking those that are available. Now imagine a non-medical emergency arises, such as a potential client moves up the time of your next meeting, and no cars in your area are available. If your client was a home-buyer, you just lost thousands of dollars worth of commission and your livelihood because you didn't have your own car and the wait for public transportation wouldn't have gotten you there in time. Or imagine you are sharing a nanny with a neighbor on your street. Because you cannot control how your neighbor's child is raised, he or she could be sick and therefore endanger the health of your own child.
Yes there are positive benefits to foster an environment where society shares things and services, however when doing so you loose the security you have on the reliance of things you own or services you do not share with others. A proper balance is needed, and both sides of the story should always be noted when discussing this utopian society being that the gullible may actually fail to see that there could possibly be life threatening disadvantages.
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