Maybe sharing is the new black...

12/13/2011 12:29 PM

By AmySue Mertens
Blogger

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A screen grab from OhSoWe.com

After writing “Shopping is the new black (Friday)”, I got an email suggesting I take it a step further and instead consider sharing as the new black. The writer wanted me to check out a new website, www.OhSoWe.com. The site allows neighbor-to-neighbor borrowing and renting, cutting down on money, time and travel that goes along with buying items that the site suggests most people use very little.

With the help of the site, the writer had already been able to borrow bikes, child car seats, and a power washer. I can see a lot of great uses for the West Loop including the rare commodity of extra furniture for entertaining guests--storage and closet space being its own commodity within our loft-dominant community. There aren’t currently listings within our zip code, but hopefully it begins to take off. I think part of my challenge will be considering any of my belongings to be loan-worthy.

One of the site’s blog entries focuses on preparing for a holiday party, and seems to define the site’s purpose. Rachel writes, “In the past, we would brave the crowds and traffic and make a few trips to the store, then after throwing the party, get frustrated on where to store all this stuff. This year we posted these items as needs on OhSoWe and our friends let us borrow items like: an extra crock pot, mugs, chairs, boxes, and a drill.”

After perusing, I discovered that OhSoWe is co-founded by the founder of OpenTable.com, which tells me there is promise here. I hope it doesn’t become commercialized. Ads selling things would muddle the site’s purpose of low-maintenance, earth- and community-friendly sharing.


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