I hear you @Christine0 AND...the Netflix docu only reaches a certain demographic, most of which won't watch it
AND
It's just data that can go "poof" in an instant if security is compromised. (example: the recent rash of real hacks and airbnb account hijackings no one in management is talking bout).
Data us also useless without hosts to carry the weight of the investment, upkeep, and services.
Maybe I'm an eternal optimist, but HERE'S WHAT I'M HOPING FOR:
The IPO results in new management OR airbnb being displayed on someone's mantlepiece like Lycos and Myspace and:
1- "Classic airbnb's" are honored for the special thing they are
OR
2- A new platform (which echoes my post below) specifically for home stays that operates cooperatively with local areas for a "win-win" (rather than a "takeover" mentality with no regard for the resulting displacement of local people who actually need places to live and wooing politicians with "donations.")
IT IS possible, and I can see it happening because continual "profit/growth no matter what" model isn't sustainable when it reaches a certain "tipping point" that involves stressing the local economies and over saturation of the market.