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Consider where we are on the technology curve. We're a few years into general purpose, networked computers being in everyone's pockets. We're a few years away f
by natrius 11y ago
Consider where we are on the technology curve. We're a few years into general purpose, networked computers being in everyone's pockets. We're a few years away from those computers being capable of coordinating interactions between their owners without middlemen using distributed consensus systems like Ethereum. Once that technology is mature, this concern about whether the workers are employees of the middleman will be moot.
Society desires the ability to offer and purchase services from individuals on demand. These workers work for other individuals. The fact that there are companies involved is a historical quirk that we shouldn't focus our policies on. We need policies that support individuals offering their services to other individuals, so employer-oriented policies are a distraction.
- cantankerous 11y agoWho makes and maintains the technology, though? You're talking about replacing employers with some kind of system, but that system has to be created and maintained by somebody. It carries their values forward to how transactions occur. I don't see how employer-regulation is wholly different from regulating a system for managing these types of transactions. It just needs tweaking.
- natrius 11y agoIt has to be created by someone, but it runs without maintenance because anyone can run it. It also can't be regulated because anyone can run it. These are some of the benefits of a decentralized system. Funding the creation of a such a system is an interesting problem that I think will be solved.
- jellicle 11y agoUh-huh. But there's no venture capital available for merely facilitating paying interactions between people, unless you plan to take a large cut. Uber is currently grabbing about 30% of the revenue stream that passes through it, and experimenting with ever-higher cuts. I would also point out that the modern corporation evolved to fill a demonstrated need, and there's no evidence that the need (ability to command and control large groups of people to work together to reach a goal) has dissipated.
- natrius 11y agoLots of things get created without venture capital. Giving the world back that 30% cut of every ride would be a pretty huge favor. Governments, benevolent donors, and open source developers are all in the business of doing people huge favors.