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In essence, the company pays third worlders a pittance to transfer humanity's skills to the machine. The skill transfer is limited to what can be done with a mo

In essence, the company pays third worlders a pittance to transfer humanity's skills to the machine. The skill transfer is limited to what can be done with a mouse and screen, but since that's where most human ability is currently manifested, it's hardly a limitation. What happens to the serfs once the transfer is complete? Do they realize they are exchanging temporary wages for eternal futility? I like how the investors rationalized this devil's deal and the usurpation of the poor: "If you could be pulling a rickshaw or labeling data in an air-conditioned internet café, the latter is a better job."

Jagat 7y ago
"Do they realize they are exchanging temporary wages for eternal futility?" Yes they do. and this isn't wrong either "If you could be pulling a rickshaw or labeling data in an air-conditioned internet café, the latter is a better job."
samclearman 7y ago
I work at Scale - I've met a bunch of people that work on our platform, and seeing the impact that it's had on their lives is actually a huge source of inspiration to me. There's a writeup highlighting some of their stories at https://scale.com/blog/positive-externalities https://scale.com/blog/positive-externalities - based on my personal experience, I can say that it's not bullshit.
DoreenMichele 7y ago
I'm an American who began doing online gig work (for a different company, not Scale) while homeless. It allowed me to pay down debt and get back into housing under circumstances where a normal job was out of the question. This worked in part because my income was portable, so I was able to take a train to a more affordable area to get a place within my limited budget. This ability to move at will and take my income with me was historically largely limited to the Jet Set and comfortably well-off retirees. For many people, doing gig work is a tremendous opportunity with a very big upside. It can be a huge improvement in both their standard of living and quality of life. Most people decrying such labor arrangements aren't doing anything whatsoever to offer a better alternative. Color me unimpressed.

Jagat 7y ago

"Do they realize they are exchanging temporary wages for eternal futility?" Yes they do. and this isn't wrong either "If you could be pulling a rickshaw or labeling data in an air-conditioned internet café, the latter is a better job."

samclearman 7y ago

I work at Scale - I've met a bunch of people that work on our platform, and seeing the impact that it's had on their lives is actually a huge source of inspiration to me. There's a writeup highlighting some of their stories at https://scale.com/blog/positive-externalities https://scale.com/blog/positive-externalities - based on my personal experience, I can say that it's not bullshit.

DoreenMichele 7y ago

I'm an American who began doing online gig work (for a different company, not Scale) while homeless. It allowed me to pay down debt and get back into housing under circumstances where a normal job was out of the question. This worked in part because my income was portable, so I was able to take a train to a more affordable area to get a place within my limited budget. This ability to move at will and take my income with me was historically largely limited to the Jet Set and comfortably well-off retirees. For many people, doing gig work is a tremendous opportunity with a very big upside. It can be a huge improvement in both their standard of living and quality of life. Most people decrying such labor arrangements aren't doing anything whatsoever to offer a better alternative. Color me unimpressed.