Can a 200-year-old business model fix the modern gig economy?
In short: The gig economy often leaves workers without power or ownership. Trebor Scholz explores how merging traditional cooperative principles with digital platforms can create democratic companies that empower those who do the work.
Platform cooperatives represent a fusion of tried-and-true business models and modern technology. Unlike standard gig platforms, these are owned and operated by the people who work on them, shifting the power dynamic from centralized corporations to empowered workers.
By applying cooperative principles—which date back nearly 200 years—to the digital economy, Scholz argues we can build a fairer alternative to current systems. This model focuses on democratic ownership and collective operation rather than extractive profit.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Trebor Scholz: Stuck in the gig economy? Try platform co-ops instead | TED
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-trebor-scholz-stuck-in-the-gig-economy-try-platform-co-ops-i.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
