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Submitted via IRC for AndyTheAbsurd
What would happen if low-wage workers came together to cut out the middleman and build their own platforms? This isn't just a thought experiment. Worker-owned apps are already providing real alternatives to dismal working conditions in the global gig economy.
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Worker-Owned Apps Are Trying to Fix the Gig Economy's Exploitation
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* m2 stares at the monitor... it looks like a hamburger...
m2 - that's a bad sign
(Score: 3, Interesting) by jmichaelhudsondotnet on Wednesday November 20 2019, @12:03PM (1 child)
This word 'ownership' doesn't translate quite as well to the internet as some were hoping, despite the ease with which computers are used to exert control.
There is a lot of work to be done on the 'middleman' aspect of the internet, which will have to be moderated by public interest technologists like these.
We will know them by the values demonstrated by their code.
Like VLC, I feel like I know the people who make this, through the application. They are like friends, my tv. Same for the pirates who share their tv with me.
The rest of the internet has a lot of catching up to do, there is a lot of work to be done de-bullshitifying social networking and business interaction. But none of it will work without public interest, otherwise like I am always saying we are just building a fancy bedazzled prison.
Have you seen the meme with the people under the boots? The people carry these giant boots, the fascism/totalitarian one is black and white, the capitalist one has colorful streamers like a party.
This sort of effort is an attempt by the workers to own the boot, but the giant foot will still be there. But it is progress, so long as it doesn't become eventually owned by people who don't work and just want a cut.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @01:01PM
Already, capital is hard at work to keep this from happening. If you can't buy ownership outright, you can always sue. Sue for what? Well, how about patents? Putting that capital to work.