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Uberization and Its Discontents: The On-Demand Economy and the Future of Full-time Work

By Eric Levitz

Even at dinner, Rich Armstead stays on Task. An hour ago, the 32-year-old comedian finished assembling an IKEA bed for a woman in Brooklyn Heights. When he’s done with his cheeseburger, he’ll follow the waitress back into the kitchen of this Chelsea pub, and fix the sink’s leaking drainpipe.

“It’s a hustle, for sure,” he says, scanning his smartphone for future gigs.

Armstead is one of over 30,000 workers who sell their labor via TaskRabbit, an online marketplace where consumers can find a “Tasker” for any small job, from waiting in line to wedding photography. The platform is itself just one of a growing number of all-purpose service apps, including Handy, Fiverr, and Needto, which together make up only one sector of the ever-expanding “on-demand economy.” Continue reading Uberization and Its Discontents: The On-Demand Economy and the Future of Full-time Work