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Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

nytimes.com

331–340 of 403 posts

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#331

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree with how the question is framed, around whether someone can do these things: People can do all sorts of bad things; they can mentally abuse their children, they can gamble away all their family's assets, cheat their co-workers and customers, they can hate and do many other things to ruin their lives, their family's, their neighbor's, their country's and the world's. People have the right to turn the U.S. i…

I'll put a sharper point on it: People must be governed.[1] People have an enormous capacity to be violent, racist, sexist, small minded, paranoid, greedy, and dishonest, and the whole point of government is to collectively overcome these failings. Obviously government cannot stop discrimination just as it cannot stop murder, theft, etc. But it can dramatically reduce it by imposing the proper social norms. [1] https…

apparently stating pro fascist views are acceptable but challenging them and calling them out for what they are results in bans.

Yet another voice was deemed unacceptable and had to be 'governed' into silence. Great job on your echo chamber HN mods, support open and free discussion unless it's critical of those who support government control.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#332
post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, they're going to lose hosts over this. In fact, if they don't, that's evidence that they're not serious about it. A lot of people hosting through Airbnb shouldn't be .

"If you have personal preferences about whom you let live in your home that don't align with mine, you shouldn't be allowed to have anyone in your home at all!"

You should not be able to sell that space through what users expect to work like a public accommodation. The same goes for your car. That's what it costs to be a racist. Boo friken hoo.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#333
So the article has this bit:

'The biases of hosts can be cloaked — for example, one Airbnb listing in Washington states “we cannot accept guests arriving in D.C. by bus or motor coach,” without mentioning race, class or ethnicity — and may be difficult to eradicate.'

If you google it, there is only one AirBnb account with it (few listings for the rooms), with 882 total reviews. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/56977?sug=50

This is what they put in their description:

"Regrettably,we cannot accept guests arriving in DC by bus or motor coach. If you are travelling in the northeast corridor, especially from New York or Philadelphia, we suggest you take the Amtrak train service."

I really wonder if they have a valid reason (late arrival due to bus delays for instance), but I suppose if it's looks discriminatory that's as bad as being so.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#334
post #333

So the article has this bit: 'The biases of hosts can be cloaked — for example, one Airbnb listing in Washington states “we cannot accept guests arriving in D.C. by bus or motor coach,” without mentioning race, class or ethnicity — and may be difficult to eradicate.' If you google it, there is only one AirBnb account with it (few listings for the rooms), with 882 total reviews. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/56977?sug=…

> we cannot accept guests arriving in D.C. by bus or motor coach

How would the host even know that? Are they going to ask for a picture of your plane ticket?

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#335

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> prevent people from making choices that they don't agree with, which was basically the opposite of the point of the US. I'd stay away from these issues on HN unless we really have something valuable and new to add. I'll just say that there's another side to this and many strongly disagree with this notion. To sum it up and just put both sides out there (hopefully not starting a debate), people facing widespread dis…

It's my home and I do what I want. If you're black and I don't like you, I have every right not to let you into my house, no matter your history. You cannot debate this statement.

I agree with you, but a lot of people don't. There are rules about who you decide to hire, who you decide to rent to, and who you decide to serve.

Crazy, I know, but that's the world most wanted.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#336

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's fine to analyze potential racism experienced by oneself in this fashion, but it really is out of bounds to analyze potential racism experienced by other people in this way. Perhaps that isn't fair to those of us who rarely experience potential racism, but so what?

The person I was responding to was not the experiencer of the racism, as you meant it. Yes this is a good guideline in general, but there are also times when probing further is necessary for an actual meaningful discussion.

I agree with your general observations with respect to misunderstanding and assumptions. I just don't see how the questions you asked could lead to edifying answers. It is a mistake to concentrate on particulars like this, and would have been even if OP agreed with you rather than responding with a dispositive contradictory detail.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#337

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, the point of government is to protect your rights from violation by others. Those unalienable rights you are born with as outlined in the bill of rights. It's not to overcome the failings of humanity (an impossible task if ever there was one).

Your inalienable rights are a construct, enforced solely by "governments". Your rates in the state of nature are nothing like the rights your countrymen have agreed to provide you.

My inalienable rights were actually endowed by my Creator.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#338

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll put a sharper point on it: People must be governed.[1] People have an enormous capacity to be violent, racist, sexist, small minded, paranoid, greedy, and dishonest, and the whole point of government is to collectively overcome these failings. Obviously government cannot stop discrimination just as it cannot stop murder, theft, etc. But it can dramatically reduce it by imposing the proper social norms. [1] https…

No, the point of government is to protect your rights from violation by others. Those unalienable rights you are born with as outlined in the bill of rights. It's not to overcome the failings of humanity (an impossible task if ever there was one).

Please show me an inalienable right that has not actually been alienated.

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#339

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your inalienable rights are a construct, enforced solely by "governments". Your rates in the state of nature are nothing like the rights your countrymen have agreed to provide you.

My inalienable rights were actually endowed by my Creator.

Who gave your parents permission to bestow these rights?

Re: Airbnb Adopts Rules in Effort to Fight Discrimination by Its Hosts

#340
post #328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your inalienable rights are a construct, enforced solely by "governments". Your rates in the state of nature are nothing like the rights your countrymen have agreed to provide you.

So slavery is okay as long as the government determines it is. Great moral framework you have there. It's morally wrong to use threats of government violence to dictate how an individual uses their private property.

You know those "threats of government violence" are the only thing stopping the practice of slavery?
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