5 ms·

I don't think you can use your own anecdotal case to disprove a huge societal movement affecting tens of millions when in some cases the current market offering

by raws 7y ago

I don't think you can use your own anecdotal case to disprove a huge societal movement affecting tens of millions when in some cases the current market offerings albeit inflexible in some of their aspects and need a revamp already exist and cover the great majority of the market ie: cabs vs uberlikes. Edit1: Could you clarify, I'm curious as to what kind of the jet set class items would be accessible at the entry level or not so far high in the gig-econ? Edit2: Also I do not mean to say that the gig-econ does not offer economical sustenance or reinsertion for workers that cannot endure more classical jobs but they're the great minority in these kind of jobs but that is just my own opinion and read on the market

DoreenMichele 7y ago
I had portable income and the freedom to go where I wanted more or less at will. My case doesn't prove that millions of people aren't being given a raw deal. It just indicates that gig work doesn't have to be a raw deal and it is possible to design systems that work well. I've tried to promote that idea in the past. It didn't really catch on. Most people basically agree with you and feel that I'm some bizarro statistical outlier and not really an example of how to do this well and what we should be aiming for. As long as the people creating startups generally agree with you, we will continue to see more gig work that craps all over the workers. I don't think it has to be that way. I don't think it should be that way. I see enormous potential for gig work to make the world a better place. But the world is probably not going to stop being a shitty place full of shitty people just because I'm capable of envisioning something better sprouting from the muck. Most likely, such visions will continue to be crushed under the boot of those in power and continue to go nowhere fast. Same as it ever was. Edit2: Also I do not mean to say that the gig-econ does not offer economical sustenance or reinsertion for workers that cannot endure more classical jobs but they're the great minority in these kind of jobs but that is just my own opinion and read on the market I've seen data that suggests that up to 60 percent of people are at least moderately handicapped. Most downplay it and don't want to wear the label "handicapped" or "disabled." Such people benefit enormously from having more control over their lives, such as when, where and how much they work. This is one of the things rich people tend to have more of than poor people and I think it has substantial impacts on health, productivity and quality of life. But it's like 4:30 am where I am and I hope to sleep soon, so I don't care to drone on at great length about this topic, though I no doubt could.
- raws 7y ago
  Thanks for the elaborated answer! I'd like to see the source for the estimated 60% if you can send it later. One thing is since companies like Uber are prime example of how gig-econ works and treats its workers, and that I do not agree with those standards and work ethics I would postulate the opposite. I do not condone the gig-econ style of jobs one bit. I would rather see more flexibility from the work place towards limited workers with proportional social benefits but the gig-econ from my understanding does not even offer that little. If the 60prct holds then you're not the statistical outlier but rather a proper representation of who the gigs are for and I think that would validate their existence but I still see them not necessarily as a raw deal but rather a cheapskate move. But yes some are raw af.
  - DoreenMichele 7y ago
    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19811988#19815635 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19811988#19815635
- lm28469 7y ago
  > I began doing gig work while deathly ill and homeless. > 60 percent of people are at least moderately handicapped. Most downplay it and don't want to wear the label "handicapped" or "disabled." Such people benefit enormously from having more control over their lives I don't know you nor your story and this isn't a comment about you personally, but writing that kind of sentences with a straight face to defend the gig economy is such a weird thing. You shouldn't have to work while "deathly ill", you shouldn't need the gig economy to survive while handicapped.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - true_religion 7y ago
    I agree with you, but the thing is we don’t have to destroy the gig economy to get free medical care for all, or housing for the unemployed and handicapped.

by raws 7y ago

DoreenMichele 7y ago

I had portable income and the freedom to go where I wanted more or less at will. My case doesn't prove that millions of people aren't being given a raw deal. It just indicates that gig work doesn't have to be a raw deal and it is possible to design systems that work well. I've tried to promote that idea in the past. It didn't really catch on. Most people basically agree with you and feel that I'm some bizarro statistical outlier and not really an example of how to do this well and what we should be aiming for. As long as the people creating startups generally agree with you, we will continue to see more gig work that craps all over the workers. I don't think it has to be that way. I don't think it should be that way. I see enormous potential for gig work to make the world a better place. But the world is probably not going to stop being a shitty place full of shitty people just because I'm capable of envisioning something better sprouting from the muck. Most likely, such visions will continue to be crushed under the boot of those in power and continue to go nowhere fast. Same as it ever was. Edit2: Also I do not mean to say that the gig-econ does not offer economical sustenance or reinsertion for workers that cannot endure more classical jobs but they're the great minority in these kind of jobs but that is just my own opinion and read on the market I've seen data that suggests that up to 60 percent of people are at least moderately handicapped. Most downplay it and don't want to wear the label "handicapped" or "disabled." Such people benefit enormously from having more control over their lives, such as when, where and how much they work. This is one of the things rich people tend to have more of than poor people and I think it has substantial impacts on health, productivity and quality of life. But it's like 4:30 am where I am and I hope to sleep soon, so I don't care to drone on at great length about this topic, though I no doubt could.

raws 7y ago
Thanks for the elaborated answer! I'd like to see the source for the estimated 60% if you can send it later. One thing is since companies like Uber are prime example of how gig-econ works and treats its workers, and that I do not agree with those standards and work ethics I would postulate the opposite. I do not condone the gig-econ style of jobs one bit. I would rather see more flexibility from the work place towards limited workers with proportional social benefits but the gig-econ from my understanding does not even offer that little. If the 60prct holds then you're not the statistical outlier but rather a proper representation of who the gigs are for and I think that would validate their existence but I still see them not necessarily as a raw deal but rather a cheapskate move. But yes some are raw af.
- DoreenMichele 7y ago
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19811988#19815635 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19811988#19815635
lm28469 7y ago
> I began doing gig work while deathly ill and homeless. > 60 percent of people are at least moderately handicapped. Most downplay it and don't want to wear the label "handicapped" or "disabled." Such people benefit enormously from having more control over their lives I don't know you nor your story and this isn't a comment about you personally, but writing that kind of sentences with a straight face to defend the gig economy is such a weird thing. You shouldn't have to work while "deathly ill", you shouldn't need the gig economy to survive while handicapped.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- true_religion 7y ago
  I agree with you, but the thing is we don’t have to destroy the gig economy to get free medical care for all, or housing for the unemployed and handicapped.