Embracing Abundance: Why Access and Sharing Trump Owning in an Information World

For most of history, power came from controlling as many resources as possible—land, manufacturing equipment, staff. Today, information abundance flips the script. Companies like Airbnb and Uber don’t own their physical inventory; instead, they orchestrate thousands of micro-owners, creating networks where rooms or cars are always available but never sitting idle. Even established manufacturers like Apple outsource production, maintaining agility while reducing capital risk. Meanwhile, access to resources like cloud computing, shared labs, or collaborative workspaces gives individuals and small groups the same muscle as giants, letting them punch above their weight. This approach isn’t just about saving money—it's about staying light, responsive, and ready to leap into new opportunities. The side effect? Resource waste drops, innovation spreads, and people discover new communities as they share, rent, and remix.

Look through the stuff or systems you maintain but rarely use. Then research local or online tools, spaces, or communities where what you need is available on demand. Choose a low-stakes need—maybe cloud storage or a tool library—and swap ownership for access for a trial period. Notice how it affects cost, flexibility, and your mindset. The next time you face a big decision about buying or building, pause and ask if sharing, renting, or outsourcing might be your smarter path forward.