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I can't tell if these are legitimate growing pains any company experiencing such a growth spurt might incur or if these are a fault of Uber's. Dumb comments ma

by codyb 12y ago

I can't tell if these are legitimate growing pains any company experiencing such a growth spurt might incur or if these are a fault of Uber's. Dumb comments made by CEOs, rapes by drivers all over the world. The dumb comments by the CEOs are dumb, but they're just that. The rapes on the other hand? A quick google search turns up a slew of results for taxi rape. It doesn't appear to be endemic but it doesn't appear to be uncommon. Of course, were Uber to dismiss these charges as "things that happen" there'd be a slew of outrage. But what solutions are there? Panic buttons? How do you track millions of separate entities all across the globe? And what do you do when someone presses the panic button? Are police able to get there in time? Do the police do "the right thing" half the time? My belief is in India, often times, the "face" (as the Chinese use the term, to save face) of a rapist may often be considered more worthy of protection than the woman. These are tough questions that the company must use considerable tact in handling. They're not going to be able to offer free rides for every national disaster such as the one that occurred recently in Sydney. Will they set up a control center to monitor world events and observe when not to jack prices up? And can any one reporter, group of people, or group in general understand and come up with a perfect way to handle a forty billion dollar globe spanning company which deals with people at such an individual level. Most companies of that scale don't deal with individuals in confined spaces where trust is a prerequisite and many times assumed. Can a company handle that level of scrutiny on a global scale? If a rape occurs in a NYC yellow cab, the damage is relatively confined to the NYC yellow cabs (still a seriously large market but the point is made). However when allegations come from all over the world every day, can any company withstand the pressures?

saraid216 12y ago
> My belief is in India, often times, the "face" (as the Chinese use the term, to save face) of a rapist may often be considered more worthy of protection than the woman. This is in no way restricted to India. Google any rape story involving a promising high school or college athlete in America. Watch how the community steps into formation to defend the kids' futures.
- throwaway90446 12y ago
  Not without cause. The recent UVA scandal, the semi-recent duke lacrosse scandal, and the unconscionable number of rape convicts being exonerated and released on account of dna evidence being tested with modern methods all point to the need for defense of the accused. It's almost as if accused rapists, like other accused criminals, should be innocent until proven guilty.
  - saraid216 12y ago
    Sufficient legal aid for the accused has nothing to do with saving face. Perhaps someone who runs under a throwaway isn't familiar with that distinction?
chetanahuja 12y ago
"Will they set up a control center to monitor world events and observe when not to jack prices up?" And this is why automated surge pricing as a business model is socially unacceptable and I expect (or hope) that regulations would ban or at least limit the extent of the "surge". This is also why taxi regulations etc. are required in the first place.

by codyb 12y ago

saraid216 12y ago

> My belief is in India, often times, the "face" (as the Chinese use the term, to save face) of a rapist may often be considered more worthy of protection than the woman. This is in no way restricted to India. Google any rape story involving a promising high school or college athlete in America. Watch how the community steps into formation to defend the kids' futures.

throwaway90446 12y ago
Not without cause. The recent UVA scandal, the semi-recent duke lacrosse scandal, and the unconscionable number of rape convicts being exonerated and released on account of dna evidence being tested with modern methods all point to the need for defense of the accused. It's almost as if accused rapists, like other accused criminals, should be innocent until proven guilty.
- saraid216 12y ago
  Sufficient legal aid for the accused has nothing to do with saving face. Perhaps someone who runs under a throwaway isn't familiar with that distinction?

chetanahuja 12y ago

"Will they set up a control center to monitor world events and observe when not to jack prices up?" And this is why automated surge pricing as a business model is socially unacceptable and I expect (or hope) that regulations would ban or at least limit the extent of the "surge". This is also why taxi regulations etc. are required in the first place.