A profound apology • Hacker News Board

Re: A profound apology

#11

Post by meowface » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:48 AM UTC

This doesn't excuse the way he talked to the driver either way, but who was factually correct in the conversation?

http://www.recode.net/2017/2/28/14766964/video-uber-travis-k...

>Kamel: “But people are not trusting you anymore. Do you think people will buy cars anymore? ... I lost $97,000 because of you. I'm bankrupt because of you. You keep changing every day. You keep changing every day.”

>Kalanick: “Hold on a second. What have I changed about Black?”

>Kamel: “You changed the whole business! You dropped the prices.”

>Kalanick: “On Black? Bullshit.”

>Kamel: “We started with $20.”

Re: A profound apology

#12

Post by unityByFreedom » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:49 AM UTC

> This is the first time I’ve been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I intend to get it.

That's bold. I can't remember hearing any recent CEO saying this.

Best of luck to Uber and their CEO.

Re: A profound apology

#13

Post by unityByFreedom » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:51 AM UTC

M_Grey wrote: post #10

Nothing like a mea culpa dragged from you by the threat of impending lawsuits and a truly vicious turn of public opinion. I'm sure that he's utterly sincere, and this is in no way just an empty reaction to external and internal pressures. Seriously. Right?

I don't think it's so terrible. There are a lot of ways he could have reacted to this video.

He hasn't passed the buck and is taking responsibility for his actions, for once.

Re: A profound apology

#14

Post by philip1209 » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:55 AM UTC

Was there any word on whether Travis banned the driver after that encounter? I heard from employees that, in the early days, he had to be pried away from Twitter due to a propensity for perma-banning those who harshly criticized the company.

Re: A profound apology

#15

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:55 AM UTC

meowface wrote: post #11

This doesn't excuse the way he talked to the driver either way, but who was factually correct in the conversation? http://www.recode.net/2017/2/28/14766964/video-uber-travis-k... >Kamel: “But people are not trusting you anymore. Do you think people will buy cars anymore? ... I lost $97,000 because of you. I'm bankrupt because of you. You keep changing every day. You keep changing every day.” >Kalanick: “Hold on a sec…

[deleted]

Re: A profound apology

#16

Post by sjtgraham » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:55 AM UTC

The driver covertly filmed a passenger during a ride he was being paid for and disclosed the footage to a news organisation. This is extremely unethical IMO. Even if this is the CEO of Uber, it is entirely inappropriate, and he IMO is still entitled to an expectation of privacy equally as you or I would when we are paying for the exclusive private hire of a vehicle.

Re: A profound apology

#17

Post by huac » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:55 AM UTC

meowface wrote: post #11

This doesn't excuse the way he talked to the driver either way, but who was factually correct in the conversation? http://www.recode.net/2017/2/28/14766964/video-uber-travis-k... >Kamel: “But people are not trusting you anymore. Do you think people will buy cars anymore? ... I lost $97,000 because of you. I'm bankrupt because of you. You keep changing every day. You keep changing every day.” >Kalanick: “Hold on a sec…

The Bloomberg article notes the decreased rates:

> In 2012, Uber Black cost riders $4.90 per mile or $1.25 per minute in San Francisco, according to an old version of Uber's website. Today, Uber charges $3.75 per mile and $0.65 per minute.

Re: A profound apology

#18

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:56 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: A profound apology

#19

Post by dokein » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:57 AM UTC

M_Grey wrote: post #10

Nothing like a mea culpa dragged from you by the threat of impending lawsuits and a truly vicious turn of public opinion. I'm sure that he's utterly sincere, and this is in no way just an empty reaction to external and internal pressures. Seriously. Right?

I certainly do not intend to take Travis' side on anything, but sometimes genuine internal realizations are set off by external events (e.g. Spiderman and his Uncle getting shot, or in more seriousness, any number of reformed ex-cons). The problem is that it is largely impossible for an external observer to differentiate genuine internal realization and competency at public relations.

Re: A profound apology

#20

Post by anjc » Wed, Mar 01, 2017, 2:57 AM UTC

It strikes me as a mistake to apologise for something that you shouldn't apologise for.

I thought the video was humanising, and if anything, he remained cool in the face of threatening behaviour. Apologising just legitimses the critics, who'll remain critical regardless.