Second-hand paradigma modern culture: from stigma to sustainable code The phenomenon of consuming second-hand items (second-hand, second-hand) has undergone a cardinal transformation in the last two decades: from a marker of economic necessity and social stigma it has turned into a complex cultural paradigm, touching on issues of ecology, identity, economy and digital communications. This is not just a market, but an integrated system of values and practices, redefining the relationship of a person with material objects in the 21st century. 1. Evolution: from charity shops to digital platforms. Historically, the second-hand market existed in the form of charity shops (for example, "Salvation Army" in the USA, networks "Oxfam" in the UK), auction houses and flea markets. Their audience was primarily low-income groups. The turning point was the global financial crisis of 2008, when conscious cost reduction stopped being exclusively a sign of poverty and became a trend among the middle class. However, the digitalization brought about the real revolution. The emergence of platforms like eBay (1995), and later Depop, Vinted, The RealReal, and even specialized sections on Instagram transformed second-hand from a local practice into a global industry. These platforms created: Direct P2P (peer-to-peer) communication between the seller and the buyer. Reputation and trust systems (reviews, ratings). Curation and navigation, allowing to highlight designer vintage, rare items and current brands. Interesting fact: The largest global online retailer of second-hand clothing, ThredUp, predicts in its annual report (Resale Report) that by 2027 the resale market in the USA will grow to $70 billion, which is twice the projected growth of fast fashion. This indicates a structural shift in consumer behavior. 2. Main drivers of the paradigm. The root of second-hand in modern culture is due to the action of several interconnected factors: Environmental imperative (Sustainable & Circular F ... Читать далее