The Gig Economy happened before. In the 1930s, itinerant workers called "hobos" traveled the country looking for work and food. Despite the negative reputation

The Gig Economy happened before. In the 1930s, itinerant workers called "hobos" traveled the country looking for work and food. Despite the negative reputation of the word today, hobos were actually considered to be some of the hardest workers. They had to be; they were barely surviving. The difference now is that corporate executives, flush with VC money, are able to monetize the emerging desperation economy (oh, I'm sorry-- I forgot about HN's anti-"negativity" policy-- sharing economy) more effectively than ever before. The transition started with FMC (Former Middle Class) driving for Uber and subletting their apartments for extra cash, but it does seem to be spreading. For the record, I'm not especially against its existence. I would rather see our legislators interested in fighting the meltdown of the middle class itself than being focused on something that is, at worst, one of the symptoms.