Living and Dying on Airbnb
medium.com
Living and Dying on Airbnb
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Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#2Beyond the raw and heartbreaking nature of the author's loss, I am amazed that this story was published on Medium with the participation of Medium staffers. At a time when there is so much criticism of the state of tech writing, it's incredible to see this pseudo-journalistic platform for techies by techies be the channel for such a damning critique of a major tech darling like Airbnb.
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#3Beyond the raw and heartbreaking nature of the author's loss, I am amazed that this story was published on Medium with the participation of Medium staffers. At a time when there is so much criticism of the state of tech writing, it's incredible to see this pseudo-journalistic platform for techies by techies be the channel for such a damning critique of a major tech darling like Airbnb.
If this can be considered "self-critical", then that speaks to the trustworthiness of the "publication".
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#4It is horrible what happened to the author's father. But it is also inevitable. Like a morbid million monkeys mashing away on keyboards, operating at scale in meatspace all but guarantees that someone will die whilst using the service.
In America we have become accustomed to guard rails everywhere, and signs announcing the smallest hazards. This is OK so far as it goes, but perhaps it makes us a bit soft. Here we read about a tree swing that fell down when a full grown man used it. At least 90% [1] of tree swings in America are built without professional engineering or even inspection.
I'm not apologizing for the host in this case, but I do think that some people are open to living in a world where not every conceivable danger has been mitigated. The hard part is finding anyone so willing once a freak accident happens to them.
[1] I'm lowballing this estimate so much that it should be obviously true to anyone who grew up in the non-urban US.
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#5It is horrible what happened to the author's father. But it is also inevitable. Like a morbid million monkeys mashing away on keyboards, operating at scale in meatspace all but guarantees that someone will die whilst using the service. In America we have become accustomed to guard rails everywhere, and signs announcing the smallest hazards. This is OK so far as it goes, but perhaps it makes us a bit soft. Here we rea…
could i have resumed your post with "shit happens, sad though." ?
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#6Thanks for posting, it was a interesting, and heartbreaking, read.
An AirBnB mission statement of sorts:
We also stopped trusting each other. And in doing so, we lost something essential about what it means to be a community. After all, our relationships with people
I literally threw up in my mouth when reading that. Your company makes money by renting out rooms by skirting hotel laws and you're wrapping yourself in a flag of "we're getting back to trusting one another!" What about the trust of that you bought into a place that isn't a fly by night hotel next door?
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#7It is horrible what happened to the author's father. But it is also inevitable. Like a morbid million monkeys mashing away on keyboards, operating at scale in meatspace all but guarantees that someone will die whilst using the service. In America we have become accustomed to guard rails everywhere, and signs announcing the smallest hazards. This is OK so far as it goes, but perhaps it makes us a bit soft. Here we rea…
You're missing the point. Airbnb does not assume any responsibility when it comes to inspecting the "soundness" of a listed unit, including any means of evaluating very basic things like working fire alarms, interior mold, bed bugs, etc.
I agree that this was something of a freak accident, but that doesn't invalidate the central argument that Airbnb has no real way to ensure even the most basic level of safety of its guests.
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#8It is horrible what happened to the author's father. But it is also inevitable. Like a morbid million monkeys mashing away on keyboards, operating at scale in meatspace all but guarantees that someone will die whilst using the service. In America we have become accustomed to guard rails everywhere, and signs announcing the smallest hazards. This is OK so far as it goes, but perhaps it makes us a bit soft. Here we rea…
You put my thoughts more gracefully than i ever could have.
We have this swing in our family garden: http://i.imgur.com/FsrfdVK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/v6zx0d2.jpg
It has not for over 40 years, but someday it may kill someone. Everyone who steps near it knows this and treats it accordingly. Small children use it, after we do some spring tests that the rope, hooks and wood are fine this year. Adults maybe sit on it, not swinging, careful to keep plenty weights on the feet, just to enjoy the view or catch a breath.
Nobody would even remotely consider blaming anyone if something happened to anyone while using it. The world is a dangerous place and everything done carries some risk.
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#9Terrible tragedy. I can definitely see the argument that Airbnb hosts should carry insurance for freak accidents / deaths that occur on their property in cases like this.
Re: Living and Dying on Airbnb
#10Terrible tragedy. I can definitely see the argument that Airbnb hosts should carry insurance for freak accidents / deaths that occur on their property in cases like this.
Yeah the hosts should assume all liability and pay for cost of freak accident insurance...of course not Airbnb!