Traitor to the Cause

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Clarissa

July 15, 2015

I just used Uber, folks. And what’s worse, I loved it. The reason I decided to use it was just for the sake of experience because I feel excluded from the human race having never tried Uber.

And it turned out to be so cheap and yes, convenient – that horrible word – that I really liked it.

I wonder what fresh depths of iniquity await me before the year ends. Airbnb? Thinking that George W Bush wasn’t even that bad, especially in comparison with the recent crop of candidates?

I’m literally wriggling in shame.

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7 responses to “Traitor to the Cause”

Evelina Anville

July 15, 2015

I’ve used Uber too. And while I can’t say that I loved it (I find it very uncomfortable to get in to a stranger’s car), I can say that it fills a distinct need. Taxi service (and public transportation) is terrible to non-existent in many parts of the US. And when taxi service is available, it is almost unaffordably expensive. (I remember London taxis also being expensive.) I have problems with Uber and think that it needs oversight/regulation but I do understand it’s popularity.

But Air B and B on the other hand completely eludes me. There are so many options for accommodation: hotels, motels, hostels, pensions, bed and breakfasts. In addition, there are so many websites that let you find great deals on accommodation. I don’t know why anybody would willingly go to some stranger’s house, in a completely unregulated environment, in a particularly vulnerable situation, and pay money to stay there.

I’m interested to see where this so-called “sharing economy” will lead. It seems to attract a sizable cross section of the population (both liberal and conservative) but repel an equally large part of the population (both liberal and conservative.) I worry about it’s excessive diffusion (why not have unregulated doctors perform their services? unlicensed teachers? etc. etc.) but think it has some potential for non expert services that are difficult to find in some parts of the country (i.e. Uber.)

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1. Shakti
  
  July 15, 2015
  
  Uber’s entire business model is based off avoiding oversight/regulation.
  
  The same is true of AirB &B.
  
  I don’t know why anybody would willingly go to some stranger’s house, in a completely unregulated environment, in a particularly vulnerable situation, and pay money to stay there.
  It’s cheaper. There are all kinds of taxes that are collected from hotels. Take a look at your hotel bill the next time you stay somewhere. And the people who use AirB&B are not worried about their place being trashed or being in a skeevy environment.
  
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  1. Clarissa
    
    July 15, 2015
    
    I don’t think I’m likely to try Airbnb because I love hotels too much and really detest being in other people’s apartments overnight. It makes me feel way too Soviet.
    
    And I hate this business model with a passion. This is why I feel so bad about liking Uber. And I used it a second time, too. I can’t stop!
    
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2. Clarissa
  
  July 15, 2015
  
  Ok, why doesn’t my app show Evelina ‘s comment?
  
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cliff arroyo

July 20, 2015

I’m the last holdout. Okay it doesn’t exist AFAIK in Poland, but still…… I use taxis a fair amount but they’re super cheap where I live.

Again, uber (and other ‘sharing’ economy abominations) seems to be about bringing third world regulation standards to the first world. It’s not an end in and of itself it’s a step on the stairwell to the bottom.

One thing is that taxis in the US (AFAIK) are suffocated by excessive fees (not talking about safety regulation here but government imposed extortionate barriers to entry that keep taxis few and/or ridiculously expensive).

I still don’t understand the “convenience” of hitching rides in strangers’ cars… brrrrr.

Now, I’m reminded communist Poland had a system where drivers could get points towards buying hard-to-get things (like…. everything) by picking up hitchikers.

If that doesn’t sour you on uber then nothing will.

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1. Clarissa
  
  July 20, 2015
  
  Hey, how was the trip?
  
  You’re right, I’m so used to hitching rides from regular people from back in Ukraine that it doesn’t cause me any problem. The last 3 years in Ukraine this was my only mode of transportation. So it feels familiar and comforting.
  
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  1. cliff arroyo
    
    July 20, 2015
    
    Trip was awesome as Hungary always is. I’m thinking of writing up some of my many conflicting feelings about Budapest. If I do I’ll leave a link here.
    
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