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He Has Driven for Uber Since 2012. He Makes About $40,000 a Year.

#1

This is an example of exactly why I've hated these services, except when the employees actually benefit, is that the corporation takes most of the profit and drives down cost, turning workers into wage slaves and often breaking existing laws, while serving to make the lives of affluent people easier.

At times, when I need a car for the airport I opt for car services over Lyft or taxis - I deleted Uber years ago - because the workers seem to get treated better, although I pay twice as much. Overall, I think we should be paying more for many things if we are to guarantee the welfare of the people doing the work. And it's not just that, we need to enforce labor laws, as well as tax the wealthy and corporations making profits off employees backs, those same investors that are giving little in terms of benefits.

I am not a Luddite, it is simply that that services that allow employees to be used as 'task rabbits' are harmful to workers' lives. Although older, I work as a software developer and my online profile looks like a 32-year old's according to various systems, but I've often worked as a 'contractor', and although it paid well, it provided no benefits and little security. That was fine for me. I made a decent six-figure income and was lucky enough to use my spouse's generous health benefits, but even then, one realized that it was partially a way for corporations to avoid liability.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31504152

#2

@Frieda Vizel - It brings up an interesting point, that all of these systems are forms of control, from the review system, through the algorithms that 'incentivize' workers to be out on the street, essentially fooling them into driving down the value of their own time. The logic is such that it gives the drivers enough of a reason, or at least the illusion of one, to work, while not providing them enough to live on. Much of this can be modeled via behaviorism, with the reward system, along with the potential for punishment, forming a system of manipulation, the same type of modeling that occurs with social media, addiction, and gambling.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31504598

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31504051:31505653

#3

@Jonathan - Uber lies and misrepresents its viability to workers, and the idea of starting a business is, in fact, a road to failure unless you are already well-placed...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31504005:31505370:31505611

#4

@EB - A friend in LA, unable to drive my spouse and me to the airport, ordered us a ride via Uber. I like to chat, at least sometimes, and he was bright, but found out that he had a Master in Computer Science that was not being used in his regular work, checked on houses along the coast for foreign owners, and was thinking of selling insurance, all the while working doing logistics for a shipping company. He even brought over his parents from China to reduce his costs. Yes, he drove Uber as a side-gig, and some might laud his ambition, but I couldn't help but see someone that was struggling to make a decent living.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31504725:31505768

#5

@MHB - It's also an issue of security, and increased women bear to avoid mass transit. Ride services allow women to bypass subways and buses, and for many, the cost is an issue.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31504152:31505745:31505833

#6

@Vanessa Moses - It's also an issue of security, as well as an increased cost women bear to avoid mass transit and to stay safe. Ride services allow women to bypass subways and buses, as well as avid standing alone on a street.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/technology/uber-driver-ipo.html?comments#permid=31508270:31517968







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