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Decentralized uber is a great idea, and I optimistically look forward to a viable implementation...maybe in the next 20 years. I'm not sure that we necessarily

Decentralized uber is a great idea, and I optimistically look forward to a viable implementation...maybe in the next 20 years. I'm not sure that we necessarily need bitcoin or similar software to do this, however. There would need to be some PGP-based identity system and a way to associate driver and passenger reviews with those identities, as well. Ideally identities could be registered in a distributed filesystem -- maybe ethereum works for that, but I also see no reason this couldn't be done in a less costly way. Drivers and passengers could confirm payment and publish reviews based on PGP-signed receipts. Payment could be handled in the usual manner, and I see relatively small benefits to making that verifiable through bitcoin.

colordrops 11y ago
We may not need bitcoin or ethereum to create a decentralized system, but do you have suggestions for better alternatives? Until then, we've got the blockchain as our tool for exploring generalized decentralized computing.
- zekevermillion 11y ago
  The key elements of decentralized uber are: 1) open source hailing app or dispatcher 2) rating system with identities For the hailing or dispatcher, we don't need bitcoin but it may be useful if there is abuse to impose some cost on hails (e.g., uber employees generating fake hails, haha). For the rating and identity, we can use a GPG web of trust.
  - colordrops 11y ago
    How do you prevent a local government from shutting down whomever is running this open source hailing system? What happens when this person no longer wants to spend money running a hailing server?
    - zekevermillion 11y ago
      The key is that the taxi drivers are running the hailing system, it is a tool for an already-licensed driver. There is no company coordinating the activities of "independent contractors". If someone tries to own this network, and exploit rent from it as a business opportunity, then they could run into the same regulatory issues as Uber.

colordrops 11y ago

We may not need bitcoin or ethereum to create a decentralized system, but do you have suggestions for better alternatives? Until then, we've got the blockchain as our tool for exploring generalized decentralized computing.

zekevermillion 11y ago
The key elements of decentralized uber are: 1) open source hailing app or dispatcher 2) rating system with identities For the hailing or dispatcher, we don't need bitcoin but it may be useful if there is abuse to impose some cost on hails (e.g., uber employees generating fake hails, haha). For the rating and identity, we can use a GPG web of trust.
- colordrops 11y ago
  How do you prevent a local government from shutting down whomever is running this open source hailing system? What happens when this person no longer wants to spend money running a hailing server?
  - zekevermillion 11y ago
    The key is that the taxi drivers are running the hailing system, it is a tool for an already-licensed driver. There is no company coordinating the activities of "independent contractors". If someone tries to own this network, and exploit rent from it as a business opportunity, then they could run into the same regulatory issues as Uber.