age-of-access
A new economic era where access to goods and services replaces ownership as the dominant mode of consumption and exchange.
2 chapters across 1 book
The Age of Access: The New Culture of Hypercapitalism, Where All of Life Is a Paid-For Experience (2000)Jeremy Rifkin
This chapter introduces the central thesis of 'The Age of Access,' describing the transition from a capitalist economy based on ownership and market exchanges to a new economy dominated by networks and access. It explains how physical property is increasingly leased or rented rather than owned, while intellectual capital becomes the primary source of value, shifting economic power towards those controlling access to ideas and knowledge. The chapter also highlights the cultural and economic implications of this shift, emphasizing the decline of traditional ownership in favor of short-term use and service relationships.
This chapter explores the transition from traditional capitalist models based on ownership and production to a new economy centered on access, networks, and services. It highlights the shift from tangible goods to intangible assets, the rise of franchising and leasing models, and the commodification of human relationships within gated and time-share communities. The chapter frames this transformation as a clash between old and new cultural and economic paradigms, emphasizing the emergence of a connected, service-driven, and access-based lifestyle.