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Uber is now too big to fail. Possibly the most important company this decade. I never cease to be amazed by their phenomenal execution across the world. I was

Uber is now too big to fail. Possibly the most important company this decade. I never cease to be amazed by their phenomenal execution across the world. I was in Mexico City last week where I truly came to understand the enormous impact Uber as a company has had in these past few years. The service was highly prevalent, popular, and the experience was completely seamless — just like in the US. It barely skipped a beat. Their execution is likely a prime business case study in that no other company has built a technology business that has a huge, real-life logistical component this fast — and in dozens of cities around the world, spanning an equal number of ways of doing business and cultural barriers.

dopamean 11y ago
The most important company this decade? I'm not saying you're wrong but I have to ask... what makes Uber so important?
- blizkreeg 11y ago
  Their spread, the value of the service, how they've completely transformed an industry. It's practically on its way to becoming a monopoly in many parts of the world. Not saying that's good or bad. Just my opinion.
- demian 11y ago
  The most successful redefinition of labour relations since the begining of overseas manufacturing.
  - mwnz 11y ago
    Successful for the company. Not necessarily the population.
    - blizkreeg 11y ago
      I'd disagree with that. It is providing a means of income for many who are unemployed/underemployed. It's much better than nothing. It probably can be better, but most of these drivers aren't complaining.
      - demian 11y ago
        But that can change quickly, history has lots of examples of how asymmetric power relations between the owners of the means of production and the workforce can end in conflict and a heavy push for a regulatory framework.
      - Dirlewanger 11y ago
        They aren't complaining yet because 1. they effectively have no collective voice other than social media, and 2. this "gig" industry Uber has propelled into the stratosphere is just too relatively new to see any significant societal fallout. Wait until we see more and more drivers whose only job is Uber no longer able to work. What do we say to the veterans who, after being rejected everywhere else due to a dearth of skills took out a car loan on a new $60k SUV to drive for Uber, only now to get injured? Who's going to take care of them? Won't be Uber, who will just be shoving the middle finger in their faces. And I don't think you can call this a strawman, given how aggressive Uber is with vets.
        viscanti 11y ago
        Sure. But why don't we blame literally every other company who is worse and isn't giving any better opportunity. It would be fantastic if everyone had hundreds or thousands of options and they could compete for the best opportunity, but for some people that's not the case. I'd blame every other company before I blamed the one doing the most to help provide a compelling opportunity.
        douche 11y ago
        That would be a very financially-imprudent move, in any case. Just extrapolating from my car payment, that's like a $1200 payment. Moreover, are you going to make any more money from fares than if you had bought a used SUV at $20k?
    - demian 11y ago
      100% agree. Pushed goverments to review their approach to labour law.
    - mc32 11y ago
      For the most part, the fares seem to gravitate toward uber. Drivers likely do better with uber than with local taxi cos who at times act like extortionists (kickbacks or no dispatches, car rental charges, medallion charges, etc.)
- grkvlt 11y ago
  It's because they've replaced Facebook as the go-to company for describing your new startup. So, instead of saying 'I'm doing Facebook for gerbils' you have 'Its like Uber for buying marmalade' and so forth...
slg 11y ago
The interesting thing is they are still in the mailing DVDs phase of their Netflix plan. The company will almost assuredly be completely different in a decade or two when self driving cars are prevalent. Although it seems that exciting potential future is already priced into these valuations.
gotchange 11y ago
> a technology business that has a huge, real-life logistical component this fast What? Nearly all the big and global freight/logistics operators like DHL, FedEx, TNT et al have a huge and sophisticated tech infrastructure to service their clientele and if I dare to say more advanced and demanding than what's in Uber's possession.
- mlucero 11y ago
  I think the point he's making is that they achieved this in a much shorter time frame and they basically used cell phones to accomplish it. The companies you listed have been around for decades.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
natrius 11y ago
I think Uber will fail, as will all other businesses that profit from bottling up the network effects of information. Uber is so valuable because they control the network with the most riders and drivers. Their app isn't special. Their network is. Decentralization shifts the profits of information network effects from companies to the public where they belong. We now have the technology to build decentralized application protocols that don't require a middleman to connect people for a fee. Instead, multiple companies will use the same network and compete to provide the best experiences. The profits to be had from facilitating networks will drop drastically when anyone can compete on a network no one controls. Billions of dollars disagree with me, but I think those dollars don't see what's coming. Blockchains have kicked off a decentralization renaissance, and it's coming for everyone.
kevindeasis 11y ago
More Important than ALPHABET?
dirkdk 11y ago
Mexico city is one of those places where you wouldn't want to dare to get a normal cab, such a bad reputation they have

dopamean 11y ago

The most important company this decade? I'm not saying you're wrong but I have to ask... what makes Uber so important?

blizkreeg 11y ago
Their spread, the value of the service, how they've completely transformed an industry. It's practically on its way to becoming a monopoly in many parts of the world. Not saying that's good or bad. Just my opinion.
demian 11y ago
The most successful redefinition of labour relations since the begining of overseas manufacturing.
- mwnz 11y ago
  Successful for the company. Not necessarily the population.
  - blizkreeg 11y ago
    I'd disagree with that. It is providing a means of income for many who are unemployed/underemployed. It's much better than nothing. It probably can be better, but most of these drivers aren't complaining.
    - demian 11y ago
      But that can change quickly, history has lots of examples of how asymmetric power relations between the owners of the means of production and the workforce can end in conflict and a heavy push for a regulatory framework.
    - Dirlewanger 11y ago
      They aren't complaining yet because 1. they effectively have no collective voice other than social media, and 2. this "gig" industry Uber has propelled into the stratosphere is just too relatively new to see any significant societal fallout. Wait until we see more and more drivers whose only job is Uber no longer able to work. What do we say to the veterans who, after being rejected everywhere else due to a dearth of skills took out a car loan on a new $60k SUV to drive for Uber, only now to get injured? Who's going to take care of them? Won't be Uber, who will just be shoving the middle finger in their faces. And I don't think you can call this a strawman, given how aggressive Uber is with vets.
      - viscanti 11y ago
        Sure. But why don't we blame literally every other company who is worse and isn't giving any better opportunity. It would be fantastic if everyone had hundreds or thousands of options and they could compete for the best opportunity, but for some people that's not the case. I'd blame every other company before I blamed the one doing the most to help provide a compelling opportunity.
      - douche 11y ago
        That would be a very financially-imprudent move, in any case. Just extrapolating from my car payment, that's like a $1200 payment. Moreover, are you going to make any more money from fares than if you had bought a used SUV at $20k?
  - demian 11y ago
    100% agree. Pushed goverments to review their approach to labour law.
  - mc32 11y ago
    For the most part, the fares seem to gravitate toward uber. Drivers likely do better with uber than with local taxi cos who at times act like extortionists (kickbacks or no dispatches, car rental charges, medallion charges, etc.)
grkvlt 11y ago
It's because they've replaced Facebook as the go-to company for describing your new startup. So, instead of saying 'I'm doing Facebook for gerbils' you have 'Its like Uber for buying marmalade' and so forth...

slg 11y ago

The interesting thing is they are still in the mailing DVDs phase of their Netflix plan. The company will almost assuredly be completely different in a decade or two when self driving cars are prevalent. Although it seems that exciting potential future is already priced into these valuations.

gotchange 11y ago

> a technology business that has a huge, real-life logistical component this fast What? Nearly all the big and global freight/logistics operators like DHL, FedEx, TNT et al have a huge and sophisticated tech infrastructure to service their clientele and if I dare to say more advanced and demanding than what's in Uber's possession.

mlucero 11y ago
I think the point he's making is that they achieved this in a much shorter time frame and they basically used cell phones to accomplish it. The companies you listed have been around for decades.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

natrius 11y ago

I think Uber will fail, as will all other businesses that profit from bottling up the network effects of information. Uber is so valuable because they control the network with the most riders and drivers. Their app isn't special. Their network is. Decentralization shifts the profits of information network effects from companies to the public where they belong. We now have the technology to build decentralized application protocols that don't require a middleman to connect people for a fee. Instead, multiple companies will use the same network and compete to provide the best experiences. The profits to be had from facilitating networks will drop drastically when anyone can compete on a network no one controls. Billions of dollars disagree with me, but I think those dollars don't see what's coming. Blockchains have kicked off a decentralization renaissance, and it's coming for everyone.

kevindeasis 11y ago

More Important than ALPHABET?

dirkdk 11y ago

Mexico city is one of those places where you wouldn't want to dare to get a normal cab, such a bad reputation they have