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But the comment you're replying to is saying what's the point in working literally for free or at a loss? Sure, if you're not making much, that's one thing, but

But the comment you're replying to is saying what's the point in working literally for free or at a loss? Sure, if you're not making much, that's one thing, but actually making zero is what they were talking about.

snowwrestler 10y ago
The post above that one (the actual Uber driver) says that their hourly rate is about $8, not $0. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says "today I'm going to drive for Uber literally for free." Of course not. Let's use a little common sense here. Uber drivers expect, plan, hope to make money. The point is, they don't make much, and sometimes it's very little (like on a long fare). So the question is, then why do they keep doing it? And I'm just suggesting that maybe a lot of them don't have a higher-paying alternative that they are dumbly choosing against.
- chrisseaton 10y ago
  > I'm just suggesting that maybe a lot of them don't have a higher-paying alternative This still doesn't make any sense. If you are losing money working for Uber, then you do have access to a higher paying alternative - which is literally standing in your house and doing nothing. Because zero is greater than a negative amount. I think there are really three explanations that make sense: People are not literally losing money working for Uber, or maybe they are sometimes but not overall at the end of the month, and they're just rhetorically exaggerating in frustration. People are literally losing money working for Uber but only when you include depreciation of their car, and that is a long term cost, so people are effectively taking a loan from their future selves. People are literally losing money working for Uber but morally feel that they should be working rather than not working, even if there is no economic reason for them to do so, and they just hope their situation will improve in the future.
  - sharkmerry 10y ago
    >> People are literally losing money working for Uber but only when you include depreciation of their car, and that is a long term cost, so people are effectively taking a loan from their future selves. I believe this is it. They need money now, Uber is better than a payday loan but yes, they are mortgaging assets to make some cash now.
  - amyjess 10y ago
    A fourth: People are literally losing money working for Uber but enjoy driving as a hobby, and Uber helps them recoup at least some of the costs of driving around all the time. (yes, I've had drivers tell me they do Uber/Lyft for fun because they love driving)
    - Neliquat 10y ago
      I love to drive, and while being a taxi/uber sounds like fresh hell to me, I know I would represent myself as 'driving because I love it' in my shitty ford to save face when I am trading the equity in my car i am still paying off for food in a downward spiral of depression and poverty. People who love to drive, drive sports cars, not taxis.
- ice109 10y ago
  thank you for being empathetic
kelnos 10y ago
They're not making $0. They're trading $8/hr now against the cost of depreciation that they'll be able to "pay" later. Is that short-sighted? Yes. Do people feel like that's necessary when they have looming bills that need to be paid right now? Also yes. It'd be nice if people in that situation could afford to be more future-minded, but that's easy to say when the income from your primary job easily covers your expenses. Not so for many people.

snowwrestler 10y ago

The post above that one (the actual Uber driver) says that their hourly rate is about $8, not $0. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says "today I'm going to drive for Uber literally for free." Of course not. Let's use a little common sense here. Uber drivers expect, plan, hope to make money. The point is, they don't make much, and sometimes it's very little (like on a long fare). So the question is, then why do they keep doing it? And I'm just suggesting that maybe a lot of them don't have a higher-paying alternative that they are dumbly choosing against.

chrisseaton 10y ago
> I'm just suggesting that maybe a lot of them don't have a higher-paying alternative This still doesn't make any sense. If you are losing money working for Uber, then you do have access to a higher paying alternative - which is literally standing in your house and doing nothing. Because zero is greater than a negative amount. I think there are really three explanations that make sense: People are not literally losing money working for Uber, or maybe they are sometimes but not overall at the end of the month, and they're just rhetorically exaggerating in frustration. People are literally losing money working for Uber but only when you include depreciation of their car, and that is a long term cost, so people are effectively taking a loan from their future selves. People are literally losing money working for Uber but morally feel that they should be working rather than not working, even if there is no economic reason for them to do so, and they just hope their situation will improve in the future.
- sharkmerry 10y ago
  >> People are literally losing money working for Uber but only when you include depreciation of their car, and that is a long term cost, so people are effectively taking a loan from their future selves. I believe this is it. They need money now, Uber is better than a payday loan but yes, they are mortgaging assets to make some cash now.
- amyjess 10y ago
  A fourth: People are literally losing money working for Uber but enjoy driving as a hobby, and Uber helps them recoup at least some of the costs of driving around all the time. (yes, I've had drivers tell me they do Uber/Lyft for fun because they love driving)
  - Neliquat 10y ago
    I love to drive, and while being a taxi/uber sounds like fresh hell to me, I know I would represent myself as 'driving because I love it' in my shitty ford to save face when I am trading the equity in my car i am still paying off for food in a downward spiral of depression and poverty. People who love to drive, drive sports cars, not taxis.
ice109 10y ago
thank you for being empathetic

kelnos 10y ago

They're not making $0. They're trading $8/hr now against the cost of depreciation that they'll be able to "pay" later. Is that short-sighted? Yes. Do people feel like that's necessary when they have looming bills that need to be paid right now? Also yes. It'd be nice if people in that situation could afford to be more future-minded, but that's easy to say when the income from your primary job easily covers your expenses. Not so for many people.