How the Pandemic is Changing the “Where” of Work.
Our planet was ripe for it. Our modern society was designed around the concept of cramming as many people into as small a space as is tolerable to maximize asset utilization and earnings. Asset here refers to anything designed to accommodate humans and earn revenues from accommodation. Think concert arenas, commercial airplanes, apartment buildings, buses and businesses in all their different forms.
The aggressive monetization of space has been both clever and successful. First, there’s the simple linear relationship between space and cash. Think about commercial flights; you can get chucked in the shoulder to shoulder, non-distinct, general population, economy class for a certain fare. Knees are stored at a perfect 90 degree angle. Being willing and able to pay more bumps you up to a seat which gives you an additional 30 degrees of knee extension. If you’re really willing and really able, you can get those puppies out to a near 180 degrees in first class.
But there’s also the inherent-value space proposition; because of location or design, this space is naturally worth more than the others around it and thus can be sold for a higher price. Think high-rise apartments on Miami Beach vs pretty much anything else. Think offices with a view vs cubicles, also with a view but possibly of a wall or a colleague. If you have more money you…
