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In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

bloomberg.com

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Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#91

Post by harryh »

nradov wrote: post #70
ProfessorLayton wrote: post #36

I hope that at the end of all this, we as a society realize that we need to actually enforce, as well as update the rules we set regarding employment. We're effectively subsidizing companies that find loopholes, or simply ignore laws. - Contractor-not-a-contractor employment merely pushes costs and risks on to the worker. We all end up paying for the worker's social safety net, and costs of doing business (Such as in…

We all should pay for the worker's social safety net. That shouldn't be dependant on a worker's employer, or even employment status. In the US, tying health insurance to employers was one of the worst public policy mistakes we ever made.

Not only is it tied to employers, it's subsidized! If a company gives you $1 in salary you pay taxes on that dollar. If it gives you $1 of health insurance it's tax free. It's madness.

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#92

Post by shruubi »

Honestly, as much as I don't like Kalanick and would love a reason to dislike him even more, to some degree I have to side with him on this situation.

The footage with the girls, while incredibly awkward, is nothing more than a flirtatious conversation. Now, fair enough that the driver realises he has the CEO of Uber in his car and wants to talk about his situation as a driver, and I give props to Kalanick for actually taking the time to listen and explain.

Did the ending clip not paint Kalanick in the best light? Sure, but keep in mind that in this situation he is a guy in his private life who has been blindsided and accused of ruining this guys life, with, what it seems like from other posts here, lies.

If telling the guy he needs to take responsibility for his own choices instead of looking to blame someone else is the worst thing that Kalanick could say to anyone, then there really isn't a story here from my point of view.

Also, Bloomberg should really take a good hard look at themselves for posting that video without cutting out the conversation with the women. Posting that section of the video is the kind of disgusting shit that TMZ and other gossip rags would pull.

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#94

Post by chickenfries »

pjwal wrote: post #88
chickenfries wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This will probably be an unpopular opinion Well what do you know, at the time of writing this, it's the top comment! > The fact that the footage of him with two women wasn't cut out is frankly disgusting and a total invasion of his privacy. He didn't do anything wrong except flirt a bit. How tawdry of Bloomberg to show that material. It's relevant because he said things like this: “That’s kind of how I roll. I make…

Obviously, he did not know he was being filmed...so it was a secret.

What makes you say that? The camera looks like it's in a place where you should be able to see it. Either way, I don't think a conversation I have in the back of someone else's car is private.

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#95

Post by chickenfries »

beejiu wrote: post #60
wopwopwop wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I actually thought the driver was exceedingly rude. He clearly took advantage of Kalanick being in the public eye, and thus a "target". Filming him without acknowledging it was totally immoral, it should reduce any fair person's bayesian priors as to the credibility of the driver. Why? If I were a driver, you can be sure I would be filming everyone. Does that mean I w…

They would not be able to publish the video, however. That would be illegal.

Why?

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#96

Post by unityByFreedom »

seertaak wrote: post #46

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I actually thought the driver was exceedingly rude. He clearly took advantage of Kalanick being in the public eye, and thus a "target". Filming him without acknowledging it was totally immoral, it should reduce any fair person's bayesian priors as to the credibility of the driver. I'm no fan of Kalanick, but I thought he comported himself reasonably, taking the time to…

I don't think releasing the video was right.

Regarding Uber black, another HN user points out,

> Travis is right on a technicality they did not lower Uber Black prices much if any. What they did instead was coerced Uber Black drivers to take Uber X request. Yes drivers can reject Uber X request, but if you reject a certain amount of Uber rides, they kick you off their system. Probably why the driver is complaining about going bankrupt, you need a luxury car to drive Uber Black, but if you're stuck picking Uber X fares you'll lose money.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13758023

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#97

Post by xapata »

ProfessorLayton wrote: post #36

I hope that at the end of all this, we as a society realize that we need to actually enforce, as well as update the rules we set regarding employment. We're effectively subsidizing companies that find loopholes, or simply ignore laws. - Contractor-not-a-contractor employment merely pushes costs and risks on to the worker. We all end up paying for the worker's social safety net, and costs of doing business (Such as in…

> Why shouldn't it be the companies doing business?

Because that's not fair to those of us who work independently. Why should an "employee" get subsidized healthcare but not a struggling business owner? You're saying the only companies worth having are ones big enough to negotiate with insurance companies?

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#98

Post by lambdasquirrel »

erdojo wrote: post #31

I believe the driver was itching for a confrontation (he stopped Kalanick as he was getting out of the car to start the conversation). It was only after being berated for a minute or two and interrupted that Kalanick's composure started to crack. Before then, I don't think anything Kalanick could have said would have mollified this driver. He had an axe and he was going to grind it. Kalanick could have handled it bet…

You have to admit there's a bit of karma in it. If you want happier drivers, head over to Lyft where we tip better. :P

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#99

Post by falloutx »

AlexandrB wrote: post #59
falloutx wrote: post #29

1. Uber should really put up a policy against drivers using cockpit cameras to record passengers. Most of them do it without any consent. I usually give them 1 star if someone uses cockpit camera. 2. I have been a big Supporter of Travis Kalanick since last 2-3 years, just for the fact that he's willing to take harsh steps to win. This ultimately helps Uber. Uber's Drivers are not its employees, it doesn't want them…

> I usually give them 1 star if someone uses cockpit camera. Why would you do that? These drivers are just "taking harsh steps" to ensure their safety and the safety of their property. I thought you were all for that. Edit: also why should Uber be allowed to dictate what equipment its "not employees" can and can't use in their own car?

Drivers are contractors, so Uber can dictate the "terms" for contracts it is part of. Drivers are in a contract with Uber.

Uber should be trying to protect its costumers from privacy violations, so it should take steps to ensure drivers are not using anything that would hurt costumers physically or by any other way. I understand the some of the recent privacy issues in Uber have come from its employees and not from drivers, so It should also be trying to get rid of destructive employees as well.

Re: In Video, Uber CEO Argues with Driver Over Falling Fares

#100

Post by dragontamer »

timthelion wrote: post #75
seertaak wrote: post #46

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I actually thought the driver was exceedingly rude. He clearly took advantage of Kalanick being in the public eye, and thus a "target". Filming him without acknowledging it was totally immoral, it should reduce any fair person's bayesian priors as to the credibility of the driver. I'm no fan of Kalanick, but I thought he comported himself reasonably, taking the time to…

> Filming him without acknowledging it was totally immoral, To me this is a very classist oppinion. Normal people are filmed as they take the bus, ride the subway, go on the elevator, walk through the graveyard (seriously), go shopping, so why should a rich person who can afford a cab be granted an exclusive right to privacy which the rest of us don't have? If we promote this case due to the expectation of privacy th…

You're allowed to film people without their permission if they enter your property, or are in a public arena for security purposes. But _publishing_ that film is strictly immoral and illegal in many jurisdictions.
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