Mike Abasov

(see video first)

I think sharing and collaboration is one of the most interesting trends when it comes to the ways we consume goods in services. Interestingly, although the idea is simple and pretty straightforward, this could not have happened even 10 years ago. But not because of the absence of technology — it’s been there for decades — but because of how the word “stranger” had changed its meaning over the years.

It used to be that a stranger was someone we didn’t know anything about. Even when the Internet became popular, we ended up hiding behind the veil of anonymity. This, in turn, created its own problems, as the web became a refuge for scammers and sex offenders.

But then something interesting happened. Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and other social networks changed the way we share information. In fact, we started over-sharing. These days, an interested person can find not only one’s name, but also their home address, all contact info, and what they had for three months ago.

To some, this phenomenon is scary. The web is full of articles and blog posts about the privacy issues with major social networks. Yet I believe that this, as I call it, “post-privacy world,” is one the most positive cultural shifts in history.

Today, the word “stranger” bears a different meaning. It’s still someone you have not met, yet it’s not someone you know nothing about. On the contrary, you may know everything about them. Which creates a special environment of trust between people. And if you trust someone, why not share?