Life can be better when we share

The sharing economy is a system built around the sharing of human and physical assets (goods, services, equipment, homes, time, and expertise). Technology makes it easy to do everything from renting out a spare room to car sharing, clothing and furniture swapping and sharing extra portions of a home-cooked meal.

Even though the sharing economy has an estimated value of $26 billion, money is not the only currency. Because people thrive in positive, trusting relationships, I think that the sense of connectedness inherent in a sharing economy will drive its expansion as much as economic incentives. We see this in the recent explosion of farmers markets and the trend of ‘know your food, know your farmer'. I know a Lyft driver in Kansas City and will choose her instead of booking public transportation or a rental car. My husband and I booked lodging through Airbnb this year. Our hosts cared that we had arrived safely because we had spent time online getting to know each other before the trip. We enjoyed their clean home, local food and company.

The health of communities is measured in more than GDP - connectedness is one of the indicators of resilient families and communities. Research on personal well-being indicates that the quantity and quality of relationships matter and include characteristics such as aid (help in all things we need help with), affect (the 'I'm glad to know you” kind of emotional connection) and affirmation (positivity, solution focus, encouragement, mentoring). The culture of reciprocity within that social network also impacts our individual and community health. Reciprocity keeps people responsible and accountable to each other.

The sharing economy exhibits principles common to permaculture training - specifically, that we should care for people, care for earth and share in abundance. In Cedar Rapids, members can join The Tapestry, a time bank which helps people share time and talents with others. Exchanges can be indirect - more complex than simple barter or trade. I can bank my volunteer hours and search the pool of services for something I need or can use.

Iowa City's Rummage in the Ramp event redistributes goods and keeps millions of pounds of stuff out of the landfill. I give away things through Freecycle. The Matthew 25 tool lending library and Habitat Re-store demonstrate all three principles.

The sharing economy complements our existing system of commerce. As we transition from a money-based economy to one with diverse currencies, we will need a few policies and social norms to keep us responsible and accountable to each other.

People from every socio-economic level, from urban and rural areas, stand to benefit if we are open to the possibilities. The Corridor, too, is ripe for expanded sharing opportunities. Let's get creative!

' Kristi Cooper is a family life specialist for the Iowa State University Extension. Comments: kcoop@iastate.edu.