The New Era Gig Economy and Hashtag Nationhood
Being a starter in economics, an affair that didn't last much longer, there, strangely has never been a complete run-off from the subject matter. My appetite for economics remains, largely owing to the manner it transcends through all factions of day-to-day life.
Platforms, as ecosystems started emerging - Amazon, eBay and Orkut in the late 90's and gradually disrupted various aspects of life.
Every platform has a unique ecology with independent ecological elements. How these elements are programmed to interact with each other makes one ecology different from another.
With more connections happening and dwellers getting on board, the ecologies continue to evolve. Those who do not, die off, only to be admonished upon in the memoirs of thought leaders.
It is not survival of the fittest.
It is "survival of the most adaptable."
Change is the only constant and every platform needs to abide by it.
Now coming to the labor economy of the platforms, interestingly these are worlds of equal opportunity with a slight twist in our four factors of production; land, labor capital and entrepreneurship.
Labor is a skill, creativity or prowess in a relevant tool, technology, skill or trait. The land part is not what you have, rather what you can gain, acquire and reign upon. Here is the economy of hashtags and various currencies of likes, shares, re-shares, followers, reviews, ratings and engagements at play.
Entrepreneurship now, comes with the biggest 'E,' ever.
Capital has largely manifested to uninterrupted internet connectivity, cellular phones, laptops and various assortment of gadgets.
Content is the King and reigns supreme with Context, Relevancy and many others in his harem. The question of who-becomes-the-queen depends on the decision handed down by the ever-wise and most-knowing Vizir, widely known as Impact.
So, in a nutshell, Content, and Impact pretty much run the show.
The early dwellers always have the first-comer advantage. They are the ones who are the most, curious, restless and adaptable - a key trait for survival and growth in the new era.
They are the ones who claim good land in good times and then run their little tribes. Everyone in the new era wants a tribe of their own. The larger, more responsive and the most loyal tribe you have, the bigger is your circle of influence. A larger circle of influence means you are part of the Royalty.
This is the era of Laissez-faire. Members of Royalty are ever-changing. Remember - the survival of the most adaptable and then the play of content and impact.
Welcome to the New Era - the era of Platform Kingdoms.
The kingdoms vary in type and size and thereby have different leadership, everywhere. There are dwellers who take a liking for a particular terrain due to the way it is and hang around there. They might have a place (aka account) at another kingdom but they are more well known at one particular place with good neighborhood.
The choice of a particular place also depends on the trade you are in or the goods you sell.
I, myself have been experimenting around different places and learning their norms and traditions. Let me know, which Kingdom you like the most or better reign over?
Topics: #GigEconomy #FutureofWork #Jobs
