In chapter six Lessig illustrates the difference between two types of economy; commercial economy and sharing economy. He begins by first defining economy as a system in which “something” is exchanged with another for “something” given in return (p. 117). These “somethings” can be essentially anything, but these exchanges are governed by the culturally imposed rules of the economy in which it takes place. Lessig also states we interact within both commercial and sharing economies, as well as in “hybrid” economies that are able to flourish in the internet realm (p. 119).
Lessig explores the commercial economy first; describing it as an economy in which money (price) is the primary measure of an exchange. Lessig also describes a commercial economy as relatively simple; the exchanges of goods and services are clearly delineated by their monetary cost. Personal interactions beyond the minimum are not expected or even desired in this sort of economy (p. 121).
By contrast Lessig describes the sharing economy as one in which money is not only unnecessary, but can be harmful to exchanges within this sort of economy. In sharing economies the terms of fair exchange are more nebulous than those within a commercial economy, and are based on “a complex set of social relations” (p. 145); interactions with friends and neighbors are usually part of a sharing economy.
Lessig goes on to discuss how both sharing and commercial economies are important, and can offer similar services without negatively impacting the other; one of the examples he offers is the existence of a church choir (sharing) and a band (commercial), neither is harmful to the other and the presence of both encourages greater diversity (p. 150). This example of economic overlap and the concept of commercial and sharing economies are important to Lessig’s main argument because it suggests a world in which both RO media and RW media can beneficially coexist. The RO media feeds the commercial economy, providing jobs and monetary income, while the RW media fosters amateur creativity and cultural exploration. The existence of both economies provides greater diversity than either could alone.
(Apropos of nothing, Lessig’s way of talking about the “youth” makes parts of this book sound like he’s an anthropologist studying some slightly puzzling tribe of people somehow totally separate from the rest of Americans.)
I love footnotes, the most funny & interesting things often come in the footnotes. I totally agree w/ you on this one. "Our kids" and "the youth" totally messes w/ his audience in a way I find distasteful.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, YES when you say this: "The RO media feeds the commercial economy, providing jobs and monetary income, while the RW media fosters amateur creativity and cultural exploration. The existence of both economies provides greater diversity than either could alone." It's all, for him, about getting away from our black OR white logic when it comes to remix culture.