# Strangership The internet is revolutionizing the way people help each other. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Oct 17, 2008, updated Nov 17, 2009 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/digital-stranger-serving-the-internet-is-revolutionizing-the-way-people-hel ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.9/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Strangership trend? **Strangership:** The internet has created a sense of community among global strangers, and people are incredibly open to the idea of helping others in their endeavors. The concept of ‘lost and found’ and ride sharing are just two examples of the willingness people show to collaborate and aid complete strangers. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Nov 30, 2006 to Oct 13, 2008 - Published: Oct 17, 2008 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Strangership trend ### Crowdsourcing People are increasingly open to helping others, from naming babies to naming products. ### Lost and found 2.0 Websites and platforms are using the internet and photos to help reunite lost items with their owners. ### Virtual swap meets Online communities are facilitating the exchange of goods, from clothing to cosmetics. ## What the Strangership trend means for industry ### For Social media Platforms like Facebook and Twitter can be used for crowdsourcing and gathering customer feedback. ### For E-commerce Businesses can use virtual swap meets and online marketplaces to offer more options to their customers. ### For Lost and found services Startups can use technology to create more efficient and effective lost and found services. ## Trend signals for Strangership Trend score 2.9 out of 10, from popularity 45%, activity 35%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 45% - Activity: 35% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Strangership trend 7 featured examples from Nov 30, 2006 to Oct 13, 2008. - [Trading Clothes with Strangers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swapstyle): SwapStyle.com (Category: Fashion) Implication: The fashion industry can maximize this opportunity by developing strategic partnerships to create online fashion swapping sites that cater to fashion-conscious individuals seeking… - [Website Reunites Missing Gloves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onecoldhand): OneColdHand (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The fashion industry can look into alternative glove materials that can withstand wear and tear, or explore unique designs that minimize the likelihood of gloves being lost in the… - [Lost & Found 2.0 Part II](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/website-lost-camera-orphan-pictures): Orphan Pictures Helps You Find Your Lost Camera (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate lost and found functionalities into e-commerce platforms to simplify the process of recovering lost items. - [Gift Exchanges With Strangers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-freecycle-network): The Freecycle Network (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: E-commerce platforms can create an opportunity to establish online exchange communities that promote a circular economy while facilitating trade and social interaction. - [Letting Strangers Name Your Child](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-sourcing-your-babys-name): Smart-Sourcing Baby Names (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Expectant parents can utilize social media platforms to engage with a broader community of parents and obtain unique and creative baby name options. - [YouTube Helping Police Crack Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youtube-helping-police-crack-cases) (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Law enforcement agencies can leverage technology and online platforms to improve their investigative capabilities. - [Collaborative Online Product Naming](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/name-your-thingamajig-namethiscom): NameThis.com (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Crowdsourced product naming solutions such as NameThis.com offer an innovative way for marketing and advertising professionals to involve their target audience in the branding pro… ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)