I run a small online shop, and my recent experience with a supplier delay made me question whether the gig economy truly helps small businesses or just creates more fragility. Last month, a delivery service that promised next-day shipping pushed my orders back by five days, and I had no recourse except emailing a chatbot. We often frame the gig economy as flexibility and entrepreneurship, but what about the lack of accountability and benefits for those who rely on it daily? I've also noticed my own spending on these platforms creeping up because of convenience, despite knowing the workers often get squeezed. Could there be a middle ground where we enjoy the flexibility but also demand better protections, or is that just wishful thinking?