| Model | Sharing economy |
| Impacts | Shift in consumerism values • Change in society's perception of personal possessions • Decentralized economy |
| Platform | Secure payment platform and smart-contracts |
| Timeline | Alternate timeline |
| Connections | People, items, services, and possessions |
| Core features | Technology-enabled peer-to-peer connections • Reduction of intermediaries • Easy lending and borrowing of items and personal possessions • Smart-contracts and secure payment |
| Region or state | Global |
In this alternate timeline, a revolutionary shift in the field of lending has taken place. The traditional lending model, centered around institutions and intermediaries, has evolved into a much more personal and human-focused approach. This new system, often referred to as the "sharing economy," focuses on direct peer-to-peer connections, allowing individuals to borrow and lend personal possessions and services.
With the rapid advancement of technology, it has become possible to establish and maintain secure connections between individuals. Smartphones and mobile applications play a crucial role in this new lending system, allowing users to search for and connect with others who possess the items or skills they need.
To ensure the security and fairness of these transactions, a highly advanced payment platform and smart-contract system has been implemented. This platform enables users to set their own rental rates, facilitates secure payments, and ensures that borrowers will return items in a timely and appropriate manner. The use of smart-contracts reduces the risk of fraud and ensures a mutually beneficial experience for both lenders and borrowers.
This new lending system boasts several advantages over traditional lending. Most importantly, it has drastically reduced the need for intermediaries, cutting down on the overhead costs of borrowing and lending. With an easy to use mobile app, users can set their own terms and conditions, making the process of lending and borrowing more personal and community-oriented. Additionally, the smart-contract system enhances security, while low fees due to reduced intermediaries keep transactions affordable.
The adoption of this new lending model has had significant societal consequences. The reduced need for intermediaries has led to a decrease in the consumption of manufactured goods, as individuals have come to value the borrowing and sharing of personal possessions. As a result, communities have become more connected and resilient, while the environment has benefited from a reduced production of consumer goods.
In this alternate timeline, the transformation of lending has fundamentally reshaped society, creating a more transparent and genuinely human-centric approach to the sharing and exchange of goods and services. It is a prime example of how technology and innovative thinking can lead to meaningful societal change.
