In Taiwan, people can use a platform to rent a power washer for a weekend or share unused garage space for someone’s storage needs. These are examples of the sharing economy, a consumption model that has gained widespread adoption worldwide. This approach allows people to rent or share assets like cars, homes or even services, typically through online platforms. This innovative model poses a simple yet powerful question: why purchase infrequently used items when sharing is more practical? By making useful but idle resources accessible, the sharing economy turns them into sustainable opportunities.
Internationally, platforms like Airbnb and Uber have popularized another part of the sharing economy. Airbnb enables homeowners to rent out spare rooms. This service provides travelers with affordable and unique accommodation while giving hosts an additional source of income. Uber, on the other hand, not only offers convenient transportation options but also creates flexible job opportunities. This model also reduces the need for vehicle ownership among occasional users.
Beyond these well-known platforms, new sharing methods are emerging. The New York Public Library, for instance, offers free clothing rentals for job interviews. It helps individuals, such as recent graduates or the unemployed, make a good first impression. Similarly, platforms like Rent the Runway allow women who don’t want to spend a lot of money on designer attire to rent it for special occasions at lower costs. Moreover, some sharing platforms let community members borrow items like tools or kitchenware. Freelancers also contribute by offering services, such as dog walking or personal assistance.
Photo: AMC 照片: 空中美語提供
Despite its popularity, the sharing economy faces challenges. Critics point out issues, such as inconsistent service quality, unclear regulations, and potential over-reliance on these platforms. However, these concerns haven’t diminished the impact of the sharing economy. As it evolves, the sharing economy is inspiring new ways to use resources and create a more communal future.
在臺灣，人們可以透過平台租用高壓清洗機來使用一個週末，或共享未使用的車庫空間供他人儲存需求。這些都是共享經濟的例子，是一種已在世界各地獲得廣泛採用的消費模式。這種方式讓人們租賃或共享資產，如汽車、房屋，甚至是服務，通常透過線上平台進行。這種創新的模型提出了一個簡單卻有力的問題：當共享更實際時，為何還要購買不常用的物品？通過讓有用但閒置的資源變得可用，共享經濟將它們轉變為永續的機會。
在國際上，像是Airbnb和Uber這樣的平台已普及了共享經濟的另一部分。Airbnb讓屋主能夠出租空房間。這項服務為旅客提供經濟實惠且獨特的住宿，同時也為主人提供了額外的收入來源。另一方面，Uber不僅提供便利的交通選擇，也創造彈性的就業機會。這種模式還減少了偶爾需要用車的人對於擁有車輛的需求。
除了這些知名平台之外，新的共享方式正在不斷湧現。例如，紐約公共圖書館提供免費的面試服裝租借服務。它幫助像剛畢業的學生或失業者這樣的個體留下良好的第一印象。同樣，像Rent the Runway這樣的平台讓不想花大錢購買設計師服飾的女性，能以較低的價格租借衣服參加特殊場合。此外，一些共享平台也允許社區成員借用工具或廚具等物品。自由工作者也透過提供服務貢獻一份力，例如遛狗或個人協助。
儘管共享經濟很受歡迎，但它也面臨挑戰。批評者指出了諸如服務品質不一、法規不明確以及對這些平台的潛在過度依賴等問題。然而，這些擔憂並沒有削弱共享經濟的影響。隨著共享經濟的發展，它正在激發人們利用資源的新方式，創造更共享的未來。
MORE INFORMATION
attire n. (尤指特定樣式或正式的) 服飾；衣著
kitchenware n. 廚房用具
freelancer n. 自由職業者
reliance n. 依賴；依靠
communal adj. 共有的；公共的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. storage n. 貯藏；存放
Virginia moved to a new apartment with more storage space so she could organize things better.
維吉妮亞搬到有比較多儲藏空間的新公寓，這樣她就可以更好整理東西。
2. economy n. 經濟（狀況）；節約
Big companies get a lot of attention, but small businesses are still important to the economy.
雖然大企業受到很多關注，但小公司對經濟仍然非常重要。
3. widespread adj. 廣泛的；普遍的
Due to the widespread use of modern medicine, some diseases are now very rare.
由於現代醫學的廣泛應用，有些疾病現在非常少見。
4. innovative adj. 創新的；新穎的
This innovative appliance automatically folds your laundry, eliminating the task from your list of chores completely.
這個創新的電器會自動摺疊你的衣物，將這個任務從你的家事清單徹底移除。
5. idle adj. 閒置的；無所事事的
The idle land behind the school will be converted into a community garden.
學校後方的閒置土地將被改造成社區花園。
6. accessible adj. 可取得的；可到達的；易懂的
access vt. 使用；接近
The library’s online catalog makes books and resources easily accessible to students.
圖書館的線上目錄讓學生可以輕鬆取得書籍和資源。
7. transportation n. 交通；運輸
Because the public transportation in this city is so poor, everyone drives their own car or scooter.
由於這座城市的公共運輸很匱乏，每個人都開自己的車或騎小型摩托車。
8. rental n. 租賃；租金
Richard prefers car rentals when traveling abroad for convenience and flexibility.
理查在國外旅行時偏好租車，因為方便又靈活。
9. assistance n. 幫助；協助
Yesterday, I offered my assistance to an older man crossing the road.
昨天，我向一名過馬路的老人提供協助。
學習音檔: https://magazine.english4u.net/Magdata/menu/styg0
《空中美語》雜誌APP免費下載: https://www.english4u.net/apps/index.aspx
免費收聽當月《空中美語》雜誌課文朗讀及解析 !
文章由AMC空中美語授權使用: https://www.english4u.net
A: In addition to “Mission: Impossible 8,” what other new movies are in theaters? B: “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “The Wedding Banquet” are out. The French film “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” will also open soon. A: The Final Destination horror movie series is so scary that I don’t dare watch it. B: Then how about “The Wedding Banquet,” which is a 2025 remake of the 1993 classic of the same title? Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung’s performance in it is highly anticipated. A: But as a fan of British writer Jane Austen, I’m more interested to see how her works
The deep waters off the coast of California are home to a bizarre creature: the flapjack octopus. This creature, known for its pancake-like appearance, spreads itself thin on the seabed as a clever survival strategy, making it difficult for predators to spot and capture it. With its unique, umbrella-shaped body formed by webbed arms, the flapjack octopus moves through the water in a graceful manner. It propels itself forward by rhythmically moving its body and contracting its webbed arms. Its pair of ear-like fins, which move independently yet with remarkable coordination, also help it explore the deep-sea environment. These
Bilingual Story is a fictionalized account. 雙語故事部分內容純屬虛構。 I stand by the Miluo River as dusk falls. The court betrayal is too much. I served Chu with loyalty. I forged alliances and fought corruption. But the whispers of jealous courtiers, the murmurs of treason, spoke louder. The king cast me out. The water looks calm. It promises peace. I step in. The river is cold against my legs. I hear shouts behind me — fishermen calling my name. I keep walking. The calls grow louder, but I do not turn around. The water rises to my chest. It pulls at me. I
Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang Many people may be familiar with flapjack octopuses thanks to Pearl, a charming character from the Pixar film Finding Nemo. However, her portrayal presents several scientific inaccuracies. In reality, flapjack octopuses are deep-sea creatures, which are unsuitable for the brightly lit shallow reef environment depicted in the film. Their primary defense mechanism relies on their reddish coloration, which would be ineffective in the well-lit shallows. Pearl’s famous line, “You guys made me ink,” is another fictional detail that is not consistent with the observed actions of real flapjack octopuses. As common as it is in many other octopus
RSS