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> IMHO, this business model is fine when the only things at risk are venture capital [...] Isn't there always more risk than just "venture capital" to this "mo

> IMHO, this business model is fine when the only things at risk are venture capital [...] Isn't there always more risk than just "venture capital" to this "move fast and break things" model? Take Uber for an example, sure, they've burned so much cash trying to circumvent laws, but not only have they burned cash, they have also changed economies around the world by burning this cash and trying to disrupt things. Many normal taxi drivers are now without jobs, and suddenly the risk seems bigger than just venture capital. Same with AirBnb and changing the hospitality sector, and many other examples where it seems there is just cash being burned, but that burn also have an outside effect bigger than just the burn.

krageon 5y ago
Yes, organised crime (because that is what you are describing) has big knock-on effects on the rest of society. That is why we treat organised crime the way we normally do. The fact that these corporations were allowed abroad and left to do what they did highlights that the legal system (meant in the first place to protect citizens) has been broken. That that doesn't get looked at harder and seen for what it is is truly tragic.
SkipperCat 5y ago
Totally agree. I can't stand Uber and AirBnb because they mess with people in a bad way. Their sins are well documented. I'm fine with investors losing some $$$ on companies like Juicero. Capitalism needs success and failure to be effective and the death of $699 juice squeezers are an acceptable casualty.
rewma 5y ago
> Many normal taxi drivers are now without jobs, and suddenly the risk seems bigger than just venture capital. I've lost count of how many times I call an Uber and I end up getting a taxi. I guess IMMV but from my vantage point I'm not sure how realistic is the "taxi drivers are getting fired" take. One aspect where Uber thankfully did disrupted the taxi industry is that now customers can flag bad taxi drivers for providing a bad customer experience, and in the process push out all the bad apples.

krageon 5y ago

Yes, organised crime (because that is what you are describing) has big knock-on effects on the rest of society. That is why we treat organised crime the way we normally do. The fact that these corporations were allowed abroad and left to do what they did highlights that the legal system (meant in the first place to protect citizens) has been broken. That that doesn't get looked at harder and seen for what it is is truly tragic.

SkipperCat 5y ago

Totally agree. I can't stand Uber and AirBnb because they mess with people in a bad way. Their sins are well documented. I'm fine with investors losing some $$$ on companies like Juicero. Capitalism needs success and failure to be effective and the death of $699 juice squeezers are an acceptable casualty.

rewma 5y ago

> Many normal taxi drivers are now without jobs, and suddenly the risk seems bigger than just venture capital. I've lost count of how many times I call an Uber and I end up getting a taxi. I guess IMMV but from my vantage point I'm not sure how realistic is the "taxi drivers are getting fired" take. One aspect where Uber thankfully did disrupted the taxi industry is that now customers can flag bad taxi drivers for providing a bad customer experience, and in the process push out all the bad apples.