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Two things can be true: a) Uber was a crappy business model that required the exploitation of the labor force to raise money. If this fact can't be fixed for t
by pj_mukh 4y ago
Two things can be true:
a) Uber was a crappy business model that required the exploitation of the labor force to raise money. If this fact can't be fixed for the company to be profitable, the company can shutdown or become a co-op for all I care.
b) Toronto and SF have banned sidewalk robots (until they "study" the situation i.e. until only monopoly transport companies can afford to wait around).
NYC had banned scooters and e-bikes till last year, and in fact spent precious police time chasing down delivery workers who motorized their bikes to reduce the physical drudgery of their work. So when the Guardian says "Uber broke municipal law", my question is always "How stupid were these laws?". Most of these city laws consistently over-index for the opinions of the wealthy retirees who can show up at 10am on a Tuesday to yell at their council meetings. So, if VC's want to fund lobby arms to move the needle in breaking through to these councillors, I'm here for it.
- mike00632 4y agoWe need "Uber for housing".
- krysp 4y agoThat would be Airbnb, and it seems to be turning out about as well for the market
- pj_mukh 4y agoI think they mean Uber for “building” housing. Not just using it.
- hunter2_ 4y agoSo instead of workers hanging out at the big box home improvement store wondering if a contractor will scoop them up that day for a few bucks and a sandwich (and said contractor wondering if the work will be any good), these matches will be made by an "Uber for x" app? On the one hand, why not.
- pj_mukh 4y agoYes labor shortages are a problem. But in this context, the Uber methodology would be useful for busting through the archaic city approval processes + frivolous environment lawsuits aka the prime driver of the housing shortage [1] [1]: https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089174630/housing-shortage-new-home-construction-supply-chain https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089174630/housing-shortage-n...