4 ms·

Ummmmmm but Uber made the world a better place? (for me anyway)

by beachbum8029 9y ago

vlaaad 9y ago
Sorry, I said Uber a bit provocative. I meant companies doing unethical things and asking you to do unethical things.
- TeMPOraL 9y ago
  Which Uber is definitely a good example of, but I agree it was a bit provocative :).
falcolas 9y ago
Did it make your world a better place, or just add a bit of convenience whose cost was distributed to people you don't know?
- paulgb 9y ago
  Well, the benefits are also distributed to people I don't know, so this type of accounting is tough.
- Kiro 9y ago
  Disrupting the taxi mafia has definitely made the world a better place.
  - falcolas 9y ago
    Did the "taxi mafia" encourage a class of laborers who sleep in their cars for less than a minimum wage while depriving them of any kind of protections normally associated with employment?
    - Epenthesis 9y ago
      ...yes? Are you really unfamiliar with how medallion owners used to treat their drivers?
      - falcolas 9y ago
        Perhaps I have rose colored glasses, but the "sleeping in the car" problem seems new. But I could very well be wrong. That said, how are we really in a better place? Same problem, different master.
        pc86 9y ago
        There is an early NYT article (early in the context of Uber's lifespan) detailing a day when a cab driver in NYC ended up paying his employer a few hundred dollars for the privilege of working that day. This was after all his fares for the shift.
        falcolas 9y ago
        > But what if drivers don’t make enough to cover their rental charges? The company has clearly considered this possibility, as it’s included in a program FAQ. “No problem,” Uber says. “When you pick up your vehicle, Enterprise will take your valid credit or debit card to place on file. In the event of a difference, Enterprise will automatically charge the outstanding balance to the card on file.” See? No problem. https://qz.com/563622/ubers-new-car-rental-program-for-drivers-doesnt-actually-make-much-financial-sense/ https://qz.com/563622/ubers-new-car-rental-program-for-drive...
        TheOneTrueKyle 9y ago
        Wished Uber was around when I was sleeping in my car.

Ummmmmm but Uber made the world a better place? (for me anyway)

vlaaad 9y ago

Sorry, I said Uber a bit provocative. I meant companies doing unethical things and asking you to do unethical things.

TeMPOraL 9y ago
Which Uber is definitely a good example of, but I agree it was a bit provocative :).

falcolas 9y ago

Did it make your world a better place, or just add a bit of convenience whose cost was distributed to people you don't know?

paulgb 9y ago
Well, the benefits are also distributed to people I don't know, so this type of accounting is tough.
Kiro 9y ago
Disrupting the taxi mafia has definitely made the world a better place.
- falcolas 9y ago
  Did the "taxi mafia" encourage a class of laborers who sleep in their cars for less than a minimum wage while depriving them of any kind of protections normally associated with employment?
  - Epenthesis 9y ago
    ...yes? Are you really unfamiliar with how medallion owners used to treat their drivers?
    - falcolas 9y ago
      Perhaps I have rose colored glasses, but the "sleeping in the car" problem seems new. But I could very well be wrong. That said, how are we really in a better place? Same problem, different master.
      - pc86 9y ago
        There is an early NYT article (early in the context of Uber's lifespan) detailing a day when a cab driver in NYC ended up paying his employer a few hundred dollars for the privilege of working that day. This was after all his fares for the shift.
        falcolas 9y ago
        > But what if drivers don’t make enough to cover their rental charges? The company has clearly considered this possibility, as it’s included in a program FAQ. “No problem,” Uber says. “When you pick up your vehicle, Enterprise will take your valid credit or debit card to place on file. In the event of a difference, Enterprise will automatically charge the outstanding balance to the card on file.” See? No problem. https://qz.com/563622/ubers-new-car-rental-program-for-drivers-doesnt-actually-make-much-financial-sense/ https://qz.com/563622/ubers-new-car-rental-program-for-drive...
      - TheOneTrueKyle 9y ago
        Wished Uber was around when I was sleeping in my car.