Is Collaborative Consumption a Bust?

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which industrials editor/analyst Isaac Pino and Research analyst Catherine Baab-Muguira discuss topics around the investing world.

In today's edition, Isaac and Cat dive into the collaborative-consumption craze that took root only a handful of years ago. During the depths of the recession, so-called "big thinkers" recognized a trend away from an ownership society -- new home and vehicle sales were plummeting -- and toward a "shared" approach to consumption. Entrepreneurs and academics could be seen on TED Talks praising the merits of this trend, even calling it the biggest thing since the Industrial Revolution. Since then, consumers have embraced the concept, but shareholders in this space have lost big in 2012. Isaac sheds light on the reasons these stocks have declined and whether they can rebound.

Let's be honest: Claiming any newfangled trend is on scale with the Industrial Revolution is questionable. On the other hand, we are witnessing a rebirth in American manufacturing, but it's being driven by other innovations, notably three-dimensional printing. Uncover the companies pushing the envelope in our special free report, "The Future Is Made in America." Some of the savviest technology executives have recognized the incredible potential in this field. To learn more, download our free report for a limited time.