Odesk: I am Declaring War On You.

I love freelancers.   I love the idea that someone can say, “I’m not gonna be a corporate douchebag.  I’m going to do the work I love on my terms."   I love freelancers.   I love the people that want to create, invent, propel, and are fearlessly going against the grain.   I love freelancers.  I love it that there are more and more of them each day.   That more people are getting setup to fuel dreams, and pursue their muse.   Sure, there are still corporate jobs to be had out there, but why?  The big thing about 2.0 is that it’s an object lesson in how easy things are.

But freelancers have enemies.  It’s uncomfortable for middle managers to have to deal with preternaturally competent generation Yers that have figured out how to make a name for themselves.   The same efficiencies that cloudware uses to set us all free is now also being used to throttle, harness and crush the spirit of freelancers. 

Of course, I’m talking about Odesk. 

To ruthlessly commodities freelancers seems to those with little imagination that it’s a mitigating risk.   By having controls (random iterated screenshots, strict hourly pricing, a one way-street ratings system), first glance seems to make it appear that you are  going to ensure quality.

But it’s not the case.   As Issac Kelly said, "God, it’s like dealing with people you got away from work to begin with."   A level of corporate control, another attempt at making us docile and obedient lambs.

Do you really, for a second, think that ANYONE is going to do their best work when subjected to per minute billing & strict hourly controls?   No.  You’re basically ensuring some sort of mediocrity with this system.  And I guess mediocrity is normal& it seems safe.  

My big question is this:  Why would an employer want to hire someone that is willing to subject themselves to this sort of thing for anything but "oil change" level work?   Where is the humanity and connection between people?   Where is the comradery & charm of engaging as equals?   You’re not getting the best or the brightest, and then neophytes are going to think that that’s what the world of freelancing is, a race to the bottom.

I want Odesk to fail.  AND to make them fail, I’m going to offer something better really, really soon.

Premium freelancers, premium prices & short projects.  The fact that 2.0 allows us to be radically decentralized and to create an organization out of nothing works in my favor.  The fact that Odesk has taken the "just like employees," position works in my favor. 

I’m going to make a big damn bourse for freelancers, and I’m going to make it the best thing that has ever been. 

Because as a nation of independent, hardscrabble farmers, America kicked ass.  As a nation of employees, we’re getting our clocks cleaned.  Let’s clam for ourselves the freedom & independence to work as equals, to work with honor and not some code.

Odesk is a nightmare for Freelancers, and an affront to the entire movement.  No self respecting freelancer should touch them with a ten foot pole.  Let that place be the province of hacks and amateurs. 

I’ll find the work for all of you, I’ll get you paid what you’re worth, and I’ll make all of us rich in the process.   I’ll be blogging about this as it takes shape, but it’s surprisingly concrete and specific in my head what I need to do, and how I’m going to do it.   I am glad someone showed me what Odesk is because it’s everything that I’m not.

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