There is vast dimension to mobile life.
Together, we can face tough questions about privilege and impact that compel further examination. Let's widen our collective gaze and broaden the perceptions and conversations often shaped by more narrow or curated depictions.
001
Perception
Digital nomadism represents western colonization 2.0. When mobilists experience inexpensive and “exotic” work sites while creating community largely with other nomads, they perpetuate privileged neocolonial models.
Consider This:
Economic power and social differentials do exist between location independent work/travelers and host communities and should be noted, scrutinized, and self-monitored. However, mobilists’ geographical and technological presence also aids economically-rising and at-risk host communities to access and participate in global markets and is a catalyst for cross cultural knowledge share and empathy.
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002
Work/Travlers exploit host destinations, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Concerns about exploitation of locals and local environments takes many forms: Where are traveling digitalists paying taxes? Are they contributing more to the the local economy and culture than they are taking? How, if at all, are they different from tourists, and how does their presence effect locals?
Consider This:
As modern nomadic life is relatively young, we have little evidence-based knowledge about short and long-term effects of collective nomadic modes and impact. Although work/travelers may not be directly involved in production in host countries, they do contribute to local economies by their use of local services when they patronize individuals and businesses. Some collaborate with locals and offer their skills in volunteer capacities. The extent to which nomadic presence reshapes the landscape of the host country for better or worse remains a developing inquiry that we are inspired to explore more deeply.
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003
Remote workers - and those who serve them - take opportunities from local communities.
Digital nomadism may bring money and energy into an economy, but it can also disrupt systems and cause problems in the local community, which may not always be clear or obvious.
Consider This:
Many host communities are still catching up to meet the needs of these new types of travelers—and while some of these needs are being met by locals, there are also work/travelers building infrastructure for other modern nomads. These entrepreneurs may not always be operating with intentional integration into the host culture and community. Furthermore, their access to to Western wealth and privilege can create complications for host communities that deserve further examination.
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004
“Digital Nomads” exist in insular or “bubble” communities.
Consider This:
Like any other group, not all location independent workers are the same. Many are actively engaged in a self-critical and community supported inquiry to help negotiate the questions of privilege and access that come with the freedom to travel and work. While many are drawn to like-minded values, travel is often intended and embraced as a means of widening perspective and experiencing local life. The sharing economy provides a promising, more immersive path to local integration and economic stimulus at a self-determined, peer-to-peer level while helping to curb self-segregation that can be perpetuated by tourist driven cluster communities or amenities owned by companies often based outside of the host community or country. However, some assert those efforts may provide more local employment opportunities and sustainable tax revenue.
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005
Traveling digitalists perpetuate an indulgent life from their laptop in hammocks on exotic beaches.
Consider This:
While the boundaries of work and leisure in the modern era have been blurred, the depiction of relaxed workers sipping daiquiris on the beach romanticizes mobile realities often more rooted in productivity and ethical exploration. While some digital nomad communities do exist in proximity to beaches leveraging the landscape and views, they are often an impractical place to work or connect with clients or virtual project teams. Further, some digitalists are working long work weeks across multiple time zones, so leisure is often balanced with peak productivity - and rest.
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006
Live-aboard sailing nomads represent a small number of highly affluent individuals. The lifestyle is indulgent.
Consider This:
Minimalism and careful budgeting are cornerstones of ocean dwelling. Many people from humble origins make expenditures on their seafaring vessels in place of owning or renting a home; owning a car; and by choosing to living austerely and without even small luxuries while on land. In this way, their carbon-footprint is considerably smaller than that of many.
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007
Mobilists are largely millennials who drift from hostel to hostel. They move freely, and live in a similar way to backpackers.
Consider This:
Hostel networks are still a valuable and affordable option, but the rising number of nomadic families, traveling units and retired professionals across age ranges and expectations have increased diversity value. While the freedom to roam and explore wide open spaces and parts unknown is alluring across a wide spectrum of traveling workers, the sharing economy is increasingly leveraged as a segue to local life. Co-working & living communities are on the rise providing turn-key services and instant community, but developers are tasked with ensuring direct, local benefit to prevent self-segregation and economic insularity--and their success and interest in that aim may vary.
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