Cut out the middleman? Welcome new middleman

[Nik]

I think another interesting tendency that we witness in recent years is a mega-success of 'sharing' or some correct to - 'access' economy. Uber, AirBNB, lending clubs, parking sharing and other successful examples are commonplace now. For centuries large part of business was within the layers separating the manufacturer with the end-user or done based on information gaps between the sellers and the buyers. With the new technologies availing any data to anyone having an internet access + platforms & protocols allowing peer-to-peer interaction, once privileged info and biz became all-accessible. And often it's not something high-tech even. Sometimes it's just farmers calling to consumers to come collect their produce directly from the field or orchard, instead of going through wholesaler, supermarket and so on...
Taxi companies, banks, travel agencies are gradually forced out, while the platform operators, charging their own commission, supersede once industry monsters. Are the banks shaking because of lending clubs? Well, they should, allowing for the growing share of business chopped off by peer-to-peer lending. Yes, we might see attempts of derailing it on legislative and other levels, but so far it grows at an extreme rate.
And what about writing and publishing? One may argue it's the same thing happening here with abundant options for connecting writers and readers directly, be it through self-publishing outlets or crowd-funding venues.
How much of the trad industries will this new trend reshape in your opinion?

[Tara Woods Turner]

When the indies fully commit to quality above all else the trads should truly run for their financial lives. Until then it's not critical - just very exciting and interesting.

[Nik]

Do you know these: https://www.forbes.com/pictures/eeji4... ?

What's your view on sharing economy?

[J.J.]

Services like airbnb and uber are offering tangible products that are regulated and licensed within the communities they operate, but they act like they should be exempt from the fees, taxes and licensing. These companies operate a little differently than e-tailers who ship across state lines like the old mail order companies. uber can spin it how they want, but they are offering a taxi service, and airbnb is serving as a hotelier. Frankly, I'm surprised towns and cities have been willing to give them leeway they don't allow for other taxi and hotel services, or even landlords.

[Nik]

J.J. wrote: "Frankly, I'm surprised towns and cities have been willing to give them leeway they don't allow for other taxi and hotel services, or even landlords...."

Heard that some local or state authorities start to assume a different stance.. It's just the authorities lag behind the progress, although in a longer run - taxation and licensing may change..

[Nik]

Does 'sharing' undermine 'private'? What do u think?