Opgavebeskrivelse
The texts in section A focus on the sharing economy.
Write a paper (700-1000 words) in which you answer the following questions. Answer the questions separately.
1. Explain briefly what the sharing economy is, and outline some of the attitudes to it that are presented in the three texts.
2. How does Catharine Hamm engage the reader in text 2? Give examples from the text.
3. Taking your starting point in text 3, discuss whether the sharing economy is a positive trend.
Texts
- Suzanne Bearne, “The sharing economy: a money-making space made for startups”, an article from The Guardian website, April 8, 2015 .
- Catharine Hamm, “Learning the wonders of the sharing economy in trip to Denver”, an article from Los Angeles Times website, August 22, 2014 .
- Mary Dejevsky, “Uber and the ‘sharing economy' are leaps into the past, not the future”, a comment from The Independent website, August 6, 2015.
Indledning
It has always been human nature to share with our loved ones and our closest friends and companions. From food and shelter to knowledge and wisdom, we have always been willing to distribute our resources among other humans that we care for. With this being said, our forever-evolving technology is allowing us to connect with people around the globe, and therefore expanding our ability to reach people we may be able to help.
Uddrag
Catharine Hamm captivates the reader and takes them with her on her maiden voyage aboard “The sharing economy”, sharing with them the ups and downs, the surprises and the enchantments. She uses casual language and a laid-back tone throughout the text – “They ain’t afraid of no guests.” –enabling people to relate to her situation.
Catharine Hamm’s ‘leap of faith’ took her to Denver, where fellow supporters and users of the sharing economy openly welcomed her. Throughout her article, she answers questions that are obvious, questions she knows that all her readers will be thinking, – “And I didn’t get ripped off – or worse – by anyone.” “Learning the wonders of the sharing economy in trip to Denver” was written with an open mind and a positive attitude, and this certainly contributes to captivating the audience.
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The point of the sharing economy is to provide resources and services to people who need it, for minimal cost. Mark Dejevsky argues that the main beneficiaries will be “the relatively well off, who are simply paying less for the same services they used before.” He compares the sharing economy to an old Persian traditional marketplace, called the bazaar, which were places where the rich became richer and gained power, just as he claims the sharing economy is doing, although in a less barbarian sense. He therefore declares the sharing economy to be “a leap into the past, and not the future.”
In addition to it being a philistine way of trading and sharing, Mark Dejevsky emphasises other important disadvantages brought along by the sharing economy, like anti-social users, and disturbed neighbourhoods due to the many more cars and human traffic in suburban areas, because of car- and parking space loaners.
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