I like these ideas, in theory. I am active on nextdoor, freecycle, and the buy nothing projects. I was also a founding member of a tool sharing workspace here in Indianapolis
I guess you might say my Outlook on tool sharing has diminished with experience, because a common outcome is that my tool is returned to me broken or damaged somehow. I don't know if it's me having unreasonable expectations, but if I get something back that is caked in cement or paint, or has the blades hopelessly dulled, or has the electric cord sliced off of it, I'm not so eager to lend it out again after repairing it. I think people tend to take better care of their own stuff. I would really only lend tools to trusted friends who know how to use them and return them.
Thanks for sharing that lesson from personal experience! It's interesting to see how this problem is handled by formal lending systems. In informal systems (i.e., lending to neighbors or family members), cultural norms and the risk of damaging relationships sometimes is enough to prevent bad behavior like that, but not always as your experience shows. Formal systems deal with this problem in three main ways: 1) member orientation and codes of conduct, 2) fines or expulsion from membership for people who violate the terms of service, and 3) two-way rating systems in which the lender and borrower both give each a score. This last strategy is used by AirBnB and Uber, which I can attest from personal experience is surprisingly effective. Which strategies to ensure tools were properly cared for did your tool sharing workshop in Indianapolis employ?
Interesting idea! I haven't read about any church-based tool sharing projects, but I'd love to hear how it goes if you are able to try it with your congregation.
I like these ideas, in theory. I am active on nextdoor, freecycle, and the buy nothing projects. I was also a founding member of a tool sharing workspace here in Indianapolis
I guess you might say my Outlook on tool sharing has diminished with experience, because a common outcome is that my tool is returned to me broken or damaged somehow. I don't know if it's me having unreasonable expectations, but if I get something back that is caked in cement or paint, or has the blades hopelessly dulled, or has the electric cord sliced off of it, I'm not so eager to lend it out again after repairing it. I think people tend to take better care of their own stuff. I would really only lend tools to trusted friends who know how to use them and return them.
Piero
Thanks for sharing that lesson from personal experience! It's interesting to see how this problem is handled by formal lending systems. In informal systems (i.e., lending to neighbors or family members), cultural norms and the risk of damaging relationships sometimes is enough to prevent bad behavior like that, but not always as your experience shows. Formal systems deal with this problem in three main ways: 1) member orientation and codes of conduct, 2) fines or expulsion from membership for people who violate the terms of service, and 3) two-way rating systems in which the lender and borrower both give each a score. This last strategy is used by AirBnB and Uber, which I can attest from personal experience is surprisingly effective. Which strategies to ensure tools were properly cared for did your tool sharing workshop in Indianapolis employ?
I think a church community would be an excellent place to start a tool library. The tools and appliances would be stored in the owner's home.
Interesting idea! I haven't read about any church-based tool sharing projects, but I'd love to hear how it goes if you are able to try it with your congregation.