Everything will be based on the rental of services

The acquisition of goods, whether they are objects, clothing, electronics, books, or home decor items, used to be a rather straightforward experience. You would simply go to a store, make the payment for the desired product, take it home, and, in this way, it became permanently yours. However, this dynamic has evolved significantly with technological advances.

Many articles have been written about how Millennials are not as interested in owning things as their previous generations, but rather in how they speak “more of the experience” than physical possessions. There is some truth to this, but the shift to services was premeditated long ago.

In 2016, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released a video on Facebook with eight predictions for the world in 2030. “You will own nothing. And you will be happy. Whatever you want, you will rent. And it will be delivered by drone,” the clip stated.

“Everything you considered a product has now become a service,” says another WEF article published in Forbes. “We have access to transportation, accommodation, food, and everything we need in our daily lives. One by one, all these things have become free, so it no longer makes sense for us to own much more.”

The WEF prediction may be overly optimistic, but it reflects the rapidly approaching future. I lease my apartment, meaning all the appliances within it are also rented. If I chose to, I could even rent out my furniture and clothing. While I do own my computer and smartphones, many individuals utilize devices provided by companies. Alternatively, I could opt for renting electronics if I preferred. Although I derive pleasure from cooking and grocery shopping, I could simplify my routine by subscribing to a meal kit service. In such a scenario, I wouldn’t require appliances like toasters, rice cookers, blenders, air fryers, or anything beyond a microwave. In terms of transportation, convenient apps like Uber and 99 are readily available.

You might be wondering: what’s wrong with this? Consumerism is exhausting, and when it comes to housing, ownership is not the wonderland it appears to be. In a way, not owning things is easier. You have fewer commitments, less responsibility, and the freedom to go wherever and whenever you want. There are advantages to having less. However, there is a significant problem.

font: Victoria Song