Trebor Scholz

Trebor Scholz is a scholar, writer, and professor at The New School in New York City who has extensively researched and written about digital labor, platform cooperativism, and the social implications of technology. His work focuses on alternatives to the extractive platform economy and ways to create more democratic ownership models for digital platforms. As the founding director of the Platform Cooperativism Consortium, Scholz developed the concept of platform cooperativism, which proposes worker-owned alternatives to companies like Uber and TaskRabbit. His influential book "Platform Cooperativism: Challenging the Corporate Sharing Economy" (2016) has been translated into multiple languages and helped launch a global movement. Through his writing and activism, Scholz has examined how digital technologies impact labor rights and working conditions in the modern economy. His earlier works, including "Digital Labor: The Internet as Playground and Factory" (2013), explored how value is created and extracted in online environments. Beyond his academic work, Scholz regularly advises policy makers and cooperatives on alternative economic models for the digital age. His research has influenced the development of platform cooperatives across multiple continents and contributed to broader discussions about the future of work in increasingly automated societies.

Reader reviews focus on Scholz's academic contributions to digital labor discourse and platform cooperativism. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex economic concepts - Practical examples of platform cooperative alternatives - Detailed research backing key arguments - Solutions-oriented approach rather than just criticism - Global perspective on cooperative movements Common criticisms: - Academic writing style can be dense and theoretical - Some case studies feel dated within a few years - Limited discussion of implementation challenges - Could include more concrete steps for starting cooperatives On Goodreads, "Platform Cooperativism" averages 4.1/5 stars from 87 ratings. "Digital Labor" receives 3.9/5 from 64 ratings. One reader noted: "Finally someone offering real alternatives instead of just critiquing big tech." Another commented: "Important ideas but could be more accessible to non-academic readers."

Platform Cooperativism: Challenging the Corporate Sharing Economy (2016) A detailed analysis of cooperative ownership models as alternatives to corporate-controlled digital platforms in the gig economy.

Digital Labor: The Internet as Playground and Factory (2013) An examination of how social media and digital platforms transform leisure activities into commodified labor.

Uberworked and Underpaid: How Workers Are Disrupting the Digital Economy (2016) A study of digital labor practices, worker exploitation, and resistance movements in the platform economy.

Ours to Hack and to Own: The Rise of Platform Cooperativism, a New Vision for the Future of Work and a Fairer Internet (2017) A collection of essays exploring the concept of platform cooperativism and its practical applications across different sectors.

The Cost of Connection: How Data is Colonizing Human Life and Appropriating it for Capitalism (2019) An analysis of data colonialism and its impact on human life in contemporary digital capitalism.

Platform Cooperativism: A Global Movement (2021) A documentation of platform cooperative initiatives worldwide and their efforts to create democratic alternatives to digital platforms.

Nick Srnicek analyzes platform capitalism and the digital economy's impact on labor markets. His work examines how tech companies reshape economic structures and working conditions.

Christian Fuchs studies digital labor, social media, and critical communication theory from a Marxist perspective. His research focuses on exploitation in digital spaces and the political economy of internet platforms.

Juliet Schor researches the sharing economy and how digital platforms affect work arrangements. She examines gig work, platform cooperatives, and alternative economic models.

Frank Pasquale investigates algorithms, artificial intelligence, and digital platform regulation. His work focuses on how tech companies use data and automated systems to control markets and labor.

Yochai Benkler studies commons-based peer production and networked cooperation in digital environments. He examines how collaborative systems can create alternative economic structures to traditional corporate models.