commodification-of-relationships

The transformation of human interactions and communities into marketable and monetizable services.

1 chapter across 1 book

The Age of Access: The New Culture of Hypercapitalism, Where All of Life Is a Paid-For Experience (2000)Jeremy Rifkin

PART I: The Next Capitalist Frontier 1. Entering the Age of Access Between Two Worlds

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.