Tom Slee writes about technology, politics, and economics, and in the last two years has become a leading critic of the sharing economy. He has a PhD in theoretical chemistry, a long career in the software industry, and his book No One Makes You Shop at Wal-Mart is a game-theoretical investigation of individual choice that has been used in university economics, philosophy, and sociology courses. He lives in Waterloo, Canada.
‘Building upon his previous empirical critiques, Tom Slee explains
how ‘sharing economy’ companies have used feel-good rhetoric to
mask illiberal and irresponsible business models.’
*Chris Jay Hoofnagle, faculty director, Berkeley Center for Law &
Technology*
‘The Sharing Economy frames its critics as Luddites, bureaucrats
and rent-seekers, but Tom Slee is none of these. A thoughtful
technologist, Slee paints a well-researched picture of companies
that have built up massive market valuations by externalising their
costs and sidestepping regulations designed to protect consumers.
This book is clear-eyed and important.’
*Sue Gardner, former executive director of the Wikimedia
Foundation*
‘Superbly argued … Slee points out, rightly, that his
arguments are not about whether he or his readers actually use
these services …there is no contradiction in taking an Uber home
from a party while wishing the company were better behaved. Only
the law can force it to be so.’
*The Guardian*
‘Tom Slee’s essential new book shows that the sharing economy has
very little to do with sharing. Slee uses wit, clarity, and facts
to demolish the self-serving mythologies of Silicon Valley
entrepreneurs and figure out what Uber, Amazon and their kind are
really up to.’
*Henry Farrell, co-chair, Social Science Research Council’s Digital
Culture Initiative; professor of political science and
international affairs, George Washington University*
‘A smart and searing critique of a business that people are only
just beginning to think about in a serious way.’
*The Spectator*
'Lucid and rigorous … Slee dismantles the facade of the sharing
economy, revealing hidden and often troubling truths
... If you want to understand how internet businesses
really operate, What’s Yours Is Mine is the place to
start.’
*Nicholas Carr, author of The Shallows*
‘Laser-sharp insights about the real impact of popular
start-ups on our livelihoods and communities … Required
reading for anyone interested in technology and economic
justice.’
*Astra Taylor, author of The People’s Platform*
‘Slee is an extremely well-informed skeptic who presents a
satisfyingly blistering critique of high tech’s disingenuous
equating of sharing with profiteering.’
*Counterpunch*
‘Slee is not blind to the benefits the sharing economy has brought
to consumers but thinks the adverse consequences are important and
often ignored … This intelligent, thoughtful book will appeal to
those interested in an analysis of the sharing economy.’ STARRED
REVIEW
*Library Journal*
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