This particular article points out specific problems, but I think your assumption that being a replaceable cog is necessarily bad shows a lack of imagination.

An advantage is that you can set your own hours and drop the work whenever you like and not think about it, because someone else will do it. Combined with working from home, it doesn’t seem like all that bad a way to make a few extra bucks? At least, if the problems in the article can be fixed.

It seems like a decent fit when something else is more important in your life and the job comes second or third.