@rrhoover@as_austin In The Netherlands, Peerby (https://www.peerby.com/) has been trying this for three years or so. Recently they've moved away from pure peer to peer and use traditional rental services as a backup, since it's too unreliable I guess. They also incorporated delivery by the lender and are no longer free. The system appears to be working much better since those changes.
Austin, at PHhack in London we had "karma points" a very similar concept. Also biz stones jelly is a similar in that respect too. The problem with such ideas is that it is totally reliant on people's good nature and selflessness. Most people need a reason to care or give, which is why many of these things fail. Because people go online only when they need something but not so much just to help. If they can make it work - all power to them - it would make this world a much better place to live in. I imagine in developing cultures that are more 'conscious' like South America or sub Sahara africa it could really take off
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