The Era of Techno-Feudalism and the Rise of the Digital Subscription Economy

Subscription models and the internet of things brought by the digital age are initiating the era of techno-feudalism, transforming the concept of ownership and making consumers dependent on temporary usage rights.

Subscription Models and Digital Dispossession

Consumers no longer truly own anything; everything from watched series to music, from software to stored photos is tied to monthly access fees. Instead of pulling large sums from the consumer's wallet all at once, this system creates a lifelong payment cycle.

Systems Integrated into the Physical World

The subscription model is also being integrated into the physical world, requiring regular monthly payments to use certain features of purchased automobiles. The Internet of Things and smart devices are eliminating the titles of products and turning them into temporary usage rights.

Cashless Society and Consumption Psychology

The decrease in cash usage and the digitalization of financial transactions shake consumer psychology; the tangible feeling of expenditures disappears. While budget control becomes difficult amidst automatic payment orders, small amounts turn into a huge financial burden at the end of the year.

Global Power of Technology Giants

Global technology giants are growing as rich and powerful as states thanks to the data networks they own and the digital infrastructures they offer. This dependency structure built by processing data lays the foundation of digital dispossession and determines access rights in the future.