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You Will Own Nothing Worksheet

The document discusses the concept of a 'Rentership Society' where experiences are prioritized over ownership, reflecting a cultural shift among consumers, particularly Millennials. It highlights a case of digital ownership issues with Amazon and introduces the phrase 'You will own nothing and be happy' popularized by the World Economic Forum, which envisions a future reliant on the sharing economy. The document raises questions about autonomy, sustainability, and the implications of subscription models in this evolving landscape.

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Victoria Aguilar
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69 views3 pages

You Will Own Nothing Worksheet

The document discusses the concept of a 'Rentership Society' where experiences are prioritized over ownership, reflecting a cultural shift among consumers, particularly Millennials. It highlights a case of digital ownership issues with Amazon and introduces the phrase 'You will own nothing and be happy' popularized by the World Economic Forum, which envisions a future reliant on the sharing economy. The document raises questions about autonomy, sustainability, and the implications of subscription models in this evolving landscape.

Uploaded by

Victoria Aguilar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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'You Will Own Nothing'

1. Warm-up Discussion

Which one do you prefer? Why?


2. Pre-watching reading
a. “He who dies with the most toys wins.” ???????????

(From the article: “The Rentership Society”


https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephcoughlin/2018/08/12/having-it-all-but-owning-
none-of-it-welcome-to-the-rentership-society/)

The catchphrase, credited to Malcolm Forbes (founder of this publication), succinctly describes
our consumer society—a society that places great value on buying and owning stuff.

But the story of keeping score by accumulating stuff is changing. Our desire for experiences
over things combined with the ability to get what we want on-demand without buying it,
owning it, or keeping it in our garages, closets, or bookshelves is contributing to a Rentership
Society. A world of consumption where we can have it all, but own none of it.

A Harris survey revealed that three out of four Millennials would rather spend money on
experiences than things. McKinsey reports that from 2014 to 2016, consumer purchases of
experiences greatly outpaced consumption of goods or services. And, as I observe in my book
The Longevity Economy, Baby Boomers are set to live longer, better but better does not
necessarily mean by collecting stuff with trillions of dollars in buying power, but rather by
making memories. These statistics are informative, but a quick look at how successful
businesses are engaging consumers across the generations with dopamine-driven experiences
may be more telling.

b. Case Summary

In 2012, a Norwegian woman found that her entire Kindle library had been remotely wiped by
Amazon. When she contacted customer service, she was told she had violated the terms of
service, but Amazon did not provide details. She had purchased dozens of e-books and believed
she owned them permanently. This incident raised questions about digital ownership and the
control companies have over products users have paid for.

3. “You will own nothing”


"You will own nothing and be happy" is a phrase popularized by the World Economic Forum
(WEF). It's based on a 2016 essay by Ida Auken, envisioning a future where people rely on
the sharing economy for their needs. This concept has sparked debate and controversy,
with some interpreting it as a vision of a dystopian future where individual ownership is
eliminated, and others seeing it as a vision of a more sustainable and equitable future.
4. Watching the Video

Video: Jared Henderson – 'You Will Own Nothing'

4. Post-Viewing Discussion

1. What are the pros and cons of a subscription model?


2. Jared suggests this shift affects autonomy. Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. How does this issue relate to science, research, or academic publishing?
4. Do you think the video is alarmist, realistic, or hopeful?
(Optional: If owning is replaced by access, who has the power?)

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