By Futurist Thomas Frey
Every person owns tons of stuff. When we buy something new, we take ownership of it. But when exactly does ownership actually begin and end? And who’s keeping track?
Our houses are filled with books, tools, ornaments, utensils, furniture, fixtures, gifts, clothing, shoes, and accessories. When we loan something out, it’s hard to keep track. Did I lend that drill to Mike or Jason? Where did that serving platter go? Who has my camping gear?
Few people have any sort of inventory of what they own. Most start to lose track after a few hundred items, and the passage of time obscures even the best memories. You vaguely remember buying that expensive knife set, but was it five years ago or eight? Did you donate those winter coats or are they still in the basement somewhere?
Somewhere in this quandary lies a golden opportunity: Is it possible to create an ownership graph showing the value of items, their locations, and an aging matrix tracking depreciation and condition? More importantly, can this be automated?
Continue reading… “The Ownership Matrix: Why We Need a Global Registry for Everything We Own”