For years, artists trotted the globe in search of inspiration. Whether they chose the bohemian streets of Paris or the remote landscapes in Tahiti, they looked for a lifetime experience to turn them upside down.
However, when the phenomenon of modern tourism spread, the way people approached travelling changed radically. Everything was standardised for the customer’s satisfaction.
Now, as we dive into the new century, sites like Airbnb, an online platform for individuals “to list, discover, and book unique accommodations”, are tearing this idea to pieces.
It was Julio Cortázar the one who said “we’re like carbon copies, identical with the original except another colour, another paper, another end product.” Our needs and desires may look incredibly different on the surface, but they’re extremely close at their core. Humans are tied through the most fundamental impulses. We yearn for an enriching experience as much as Hemingway or Gauguin did back in time.
The greatness of Airbnb lies there. The tool is revolutionary not because they made up something completely new, they just found an easy way to connect people all over the world. Today it is possible to visit 192 countries and still feel at home. And it’s trust, one of the most basic human feelings, what makes it feasible.
Special thanks to Adriana Bellet for the illustration
