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I think this is another sign that we need to start thinking about basic income now. The cabbies are understandably pissed because they've invested a lot of mone

by bicubic 12y ago

I think this is another sign that we need to start thinking about basic income now. The cabbies are understandably pissed because they've invested a lot of money into playing along with the cab companies and regulators. Additionally, I have a feeling that a lot of these people are poor drivers with poor language skills who wouldn't be able to compete with better people on Uber. So what choice do they have but to protest and engage in rent seeking? If Uber succeeds, they'll be jobless. At the same time, Uber is preferred by consumers and as a society, we do want it to succeed and remove the need for taxi drivers to exist. I think the only answer is basic income, and I think that over the next decade, more money will be spent on rent seeking to keep people in redundant jobs than if we eliminated those jobs and used the same money to fund their basic income.

jamespo 12y ago
You're right they're pissed because it's a lot of time and money investment to drive a black cab but I wouldn't say they typically have poor language skills or are poor drivers, what makes you say that?
- bicubic 12y ago
  Where I live (Australia/Melbourne), something like 95% of the taxi driver demographic are fresh immigrants from India with typically very poor language skills. I won't say they're unbearable, but I would definitely opt for someone with better language skills if I had the choice - something Uber facilitates.
  - jamespo 12y ago
    That's not the black cab driver demographic in London. It takes something like 5 years to study "the knowledge" for a start. Illegal minicab driver demographic maybe!
ddalex 12y ago
I don't get why Uber is better than taxi drivers - aren't they a taxi, as well ? In London, they're cheaper than black cabs because they aren't regulated. If they're taxi, they should be regulated - same regulation, or lack of, for all. I don't get why you think Uber is not a taxi ?
- bicubic 12y ago
  I don't think it's better, but the signs are that the typical consumer does. If Uber wasn't perceived as better by consumers, it wouldn't be experiencing the tremendous growth it is and it wouldn't be a threat to the cab industry.
dkokelley 12y ago
I upvoted you, but I disagree with your conclusion. Certain jobs get made redundant all of the time. Your argument is based on the presumption that taxi drivers are as a whole unable to do any other work, so they must protect their source of income or be provided with a basic income if/when their need is obsoleted. In America we have a form of basic income through social security, welfare, unemployment compensation, food stamps, etc. I won't go so far as to say these programs are near perfect, but their intent is correct. These programs are designed to A) provide temporary assistance for individuals who are unable to support themselves due to work changes (i.e. layoffs due to redundancy), and B) to provide long-term support for individuals who are permanently unable to care for themselves (i.e. work-related injury/disability). The basic income as you've described it presumes taxi drivers to fall under class 'B'. I would put the drivers under class 'A'. They will need support if they are made redundant, but they can, should, and will retrain eventually and find new employment.

by bicubic 12y ago

jamespo 12y ago

You're right they're pissed because it's a lot of time and money investment to drive a black cab but I wouldn't say they typically have poor language skills or are poor drivers, what makes you say that?

bicubic 12y ago
Where I live (Australia/Melbourne), something like 95% of the taxi driver demographic are fresh immigrants from India with typically very poor language skills. I won't say they're unbearable, but I would definitely opt for someone with better language skills if I had the choice - something Uber facilitates.
- jamespo 12y ago
  That's not the black cab driver demographic in London. It takes something like 5 years to study "the knowledge" for a start. Illegal minicab driver demographic maybe!

ddalex 12y ago

I don't get why Uber is better than taxi drivers - aren't they a taxi, as well ? In London, they're cheaper than black cabs because they aren't regulated. If they're taxi, they should be regulated - same regulation, or lack of, for all. I don't get why you think Uber is not a taxi ?

bicubic 12y ago
I don't think it's better, but the signs are that the typical consumer does. If Uber wasn't perceived as better by consumers, it wouldn't be experiencing the tremendous growth it is and it wouldn't be a threat to the cab industry.

dkokelley 12y ago

I upvoted you, but I disagree with your conclusion. Certain jobs get made redundant all of the time. Your argument is based on the presumption that taxi drivers are as a whole unable to do any other work, so they must protect their source of income or be provided with a basic income if/when their need is obsoleted. In America we have a form of basic income through social security, welfare, unemployment compensation, food stamps, etc. I won't go so far as to say these programs are near perfect, but their intent is correct. These programs are designed to A) provide temporary assistance for individuals who are unable to support themselves due to work changes (i.e. layoffs due to redundancy), and B) to provide long-term support for individuals who are permanently unable to care for themselves (i.e. work-related injury/disability). The basic income as you've described it presumes taxi drivers to fall under class 'B'. I would put the drivers under class 'A'. They will need support if they are made redundant, but they can, should, and will retrain eventually and find new employment.