Sharingis

Sharingis is a theoretical construct used in social theory and digital culture to describe systems that prioritize access, collaboration, and communal stewardship over exclusive ownership. In this framework, resources—including goods, information, and spaces—are distributed through cooperative networks that emphasize participation, reciprocity, and transparency.

Origin and scope: The term appears in interdisciplinary discussions of the sharing economy, the commons, and platform cooperativism. Proponents use Sharingis to distinguish informal neighbor sharing from profit-driven market mechanisms, highlighting governance models where participants collectively determine rules and benefits.

Principles:

- Open access and equitable distribution

- Participatory governance and accountability

- Sustainability and stewardship of shared resources

- Transparency in transactions and data

Applications: Shared tools libraries, community workshops, time banks, neighborhood tool and equipment libraries, open-source software projects, and platform cooperatives that coordinate lending or sharing of assets and services.

Impact and critique: Supporters argue that Sharingis can reduce ecological footprints, democratize access, and empower underserved communities. Critics warn of coordination costs, potential free-rider problems, governance complexity, and the risk that markets or states co-opt sharing platforms without honoring communal norms.

See also: Sharing economy, commons, mutual aid, platform cooperativism, open source.