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This isn't the right answer, but we should at least acknowledge that there are potential problems with the gig economy. I'm not quite sure how to reconcile thi

This isn't the right answer, but we should at least acknowledge that there are potential problems with the gig economy. I'm not quite sure how to reconcile this with my views on markets. The platform certainly performs a valid function, and markets are generally good at matching up buyers and sellers. Ostensibly everyone participating is doing so voluntarily. However, I don't find it particularly virtuous to have totally automated auctioning of labor pressing down on working class compensation and benefits. Constantly repricing every transaction to carve another 20c away from a guy driving for 12hrs a day.

newguy1234 6y ago
Let the individual decide what to do. It does not matter how YOU FEEL about it, what matters is what the worker wants to do. If the person doesn't want to work for the low rates then they're free to leave and do something else. Most people working for gig apps are doing it for side money anyways. It isn't a full time job for them and gig apps were never intended to be a full time job. If you want to help the workers then you can create jobs in the community and increase the demand for labor in general.
- redisman 6y ago
  Someone who's so against FEELING you sure present lots of opinions as facts.
paulcole 6y ago
> Ostensibly everyone participating is doing so voluntarily I disagree that it’s voluntary. Nobody is driving for Uber because it’s their passion. For the majority, they’re doing it to make enough money to allow them to barely get by. They myth of college kid earning a couple extra bucks for beer money is a great bit of storytelling by Uber and other gig economy companies. Is there a literal gun to their heads? No. Is there a figurative gun where they’re looking down the barrel of not paying for meals, healthcare, and other necessities? For many, yes.
ausbah 6y ago
I think a large part of the problem is these middleman platforms treat both riders and drivers as consumers, they control both sides of the equation.

newguy1234 6y ago

Let the individual decide what to do. It does not matter how YOU FEEL about it, what matters is what the worker wants to do. If the person doesn't want to work for the low rates then they're free to leave and do something else. Most people working for gig apps are doing it for side money anyways. It isn't a full time job for them and gig apps were never intended to be a full time job. If you want to help the workers then you can create jobs in the community and increase the demand for labor in general.

redisman 6y ago
Someone who's so against FEELING you sure present lots of opinions as facts.

paulcole 6y ago

> Ostensibly everyone participating is doing so voluntarily I disagree that it’s voluntary. Nobody is driving for Uber because it’s their passion. For the majority, they’re doing it to make enough money to allow them to barely get by. They myth of college kid earning a couple extra bucks for beer money is a great bit of storytelling by Uber and other gig economy companies. Is there a literal gun to their heads? No. Is there a figurative gun where they’re looking down the barrel of not paying for meals, healthcare, and other necessities? For many, yes.

ausbah 6y ago

I think a large part of the problem is these middleman platforms treat both riders and drivers as consumers, they control both sides of the equation.