4 ms·

The post has a misleading headline. It doesn't expose anything and mostly just whines about Uber's valuation. If anything it underscores the challenges of dis

The post has a misleading headline. It doesn't expose anything and mostly just whines about Uber's valuation. If anything it underscores the challenges of disruption and the fluid nature of the on-demand services. It may even be a case for opportunity in the space because this seems to indicate that people want it, but no one has gotten it right, yet. I don't know if this is a conclusion or an indictment, "It’s increasingly obvious that Uber’s $69 billion valuation makes sense only in a world where it’s the only player in town—with workers who are either squeezed or replaced with robots." Either way, it's silly.

fu9ar 10y ago
Do you realize that Uber and Lyft drivers are often making below minimum wage when you account for their costs? The only way they are getting drivers is by offering fat bonuses to both parties for driver referrals. The entire business model is unsustainable and now Uber is hemorrhaging money because all of their drivers figure this out, drive enough to get a bonus and move on.
- jonknee 10y ago
  Do you realize that most Uber drivers aren't working it as a full time job? They're working when they have downtime and can make a few bucks.
  - JonFish85 10y ago
    "Do you realize that most Uber drivers aren't working it as a full time job? They're working when they have downtime and can make a few bucks." Isn't the entire point of "minimum wage" because of thinking like this? Most people working at McDonalds making minimum wage aren't doing it full time either. The minimum wage laws are trying to enforce that a person's time is worth a minimum amount, regardless of the total number of hours worked.
    - jonknee 10y ago
      But they aren't employees...
      - lovich 10y ago
        Even if that's the case, why would someone contract themselves out for less than minimum wage, when any low-effort job would be paying more than that? The answer is that they wouldn't, and thats why Uber, Lyft, and other competitors have to pay out the bonuses to these drivers
        jonknee 10y ago
        > Even if that's the case, why would someone contract themselves out for less than minimum wage, when any low-effort job would be paying more than that? Because other low effort jobs don't let you start and stop whenever you want? Because other low effort jobs don't take anyone with a car and clean record? Because lots of reasons.
        danso 10y ago
        Yeah, this is key. I've had countless drivers who were unemployed, either by choice (retirement) or circumstance. A few do try to make it a full-time job. But there's plenty who see it as a stop-gap, something to do when you have time and energy to help make ends meet, and that you can stop at any time, which is important when you're in job-interviewing mode.
        stormbrew 10y ago
        You could actually ask them instead of aimlessly speculating.
    - mamon 10y ago
      Not all jobs are supposed to pay all your bills and mortgage. McDonalds and similar jobs are there for students and other people who want just part-time gigs paying some additional cash for their non-crucial expenses. Such jobs are supposed to be temporary, therefore there's no point in enforcing minimum wage for them.
- spectrum1234 10y ago
  Sure but if Uber didn't exist how would these people be making money? Why would they work for Uber if there were better options? They can choose to work wherever they want but they can't choose to work for Uber if it doesn't exist... Honestly who is losing vs the alternative where the job to take isn't even an option?!?!

fu9ar 10y ago

Do you realize that Uber and Lyft drivers are often making below minimum wage when you account for their costs? The only way they are getting drivers is by offering fat bonuses to both parties for driver referrals. The entire business model is unsustainable and now Uber is hemorrhaging money because all of their drivers figure this out, drive enough to get a bonus and move on.

jonknee 10y ago
Do you realize that most Uber drivers aren't working it as a full time job? They're working when they have downtime and can make a few bucks.
- JonFish85 10y ago
  "Do you realize that most Uber drivers aren't working it as a full time job? They're working when they have downtime and can make a few bucks." Isn't the entire point of "minimum wage" because of thinking like this? Most people working at McDonalds making minimum wage aren't doing it full time either. The minimum wage laws are trying to enforce that a person's time is worth a minimum amount, regardless of the total number of hours worked.
  - jonknee 10y ago
    But they aren't employees...
    - lovich 10y ago
      Even if that's the case, why would someone contract themselves out for less than minimum wage, when any low-effort job would be paying more than that? The answer is that they wouldn't, and thats why Uber, Lyft, and other competitors have to pay out the bonuses to these drivers
      - jonknee 10y ago
        > Even if that's the case, why would someone contract themselves out for less than minimum wage, when any low-effort job would be paying more than that? Because other low effort jobs don't let you start and stop whenever you want? Because other low effort jobs don't take anyone with a car and clean record? Because lots of reasons.
        danso 10y ago
        Yeah, this is key. I've had countless drivers who were unemployed, either by choice (retirement) or circumstance. A few do try to make it a full-time job. But there's plenty who see it as a stop-gap, something to do when you have time and energy to help make ends meet, and that you can stop at any time, which is important when you're in job-interviewing mode.
      - stormbrew 10y ago
        You could actually ask them instead of aimlessly speculating.
  - mamon 10y ago
    Not all jobs are supposed to pay all your bills and mortgage. McDonalds and similar jobs are there for students and other people who want just part-time gigs paying some additional cash for their non-crucial expenses. Such jobs are supposed to be temporary, therefore there's no point in enforcing minimum wage for them.
spectrum1234 10y ago
Sure but if Uber didn't exist how would these people be making money? Why would they work for Uber if there were better options? They can choose to work wherever they want but they can't choose to work for Uber if it doesn't exist... Honestly who is losing vs the alternative where the job to take isn't even an option?!?!