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Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

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Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#31

Post by jvm »

josh2600 wrote: post #2

Can't stop, won't stop. Uber continues to amaze me with their incredibly skillful political maneuvering. They seem to have roadblocks thrown in their way at every turn and they manage to just keep trucking. Heads down, eyes on the prize; it's really quite impressive to watch. I have to believe it starts at the top with a tunnel vision approach to revenue growth. It's like that old Al Davis quote "Just win baby!". Whe…

The Travis Kalanick biopic:

"A bro stands athwart history, yelling cant stop wont stop."

https://twitter.com/Broethius/status/595971600358449152

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#33

Post by JoshTriplett »

rquantz wrote: post #7
josh2600 wrote: post #2

Can't stop, won't stop. Uber continues to amaze me with their incredibly skillful political maneuvering. They seem to have roadblocks thrown in their way at every turn and they manage to just keep trucking. Heads down, eyes on the prize; it's really quite impressive to watch. I have to believe it starts at the top with a tunnel vision approach to revenue growth. It's like that old Al Davis quote "Just win baby!". Whe…

Yes, a company with an illegal business model stayed under the radar until they got big enough that they could combat the legal challenges to their illegal business model. Always a pleasure to watch.

Just as it's much easier to get traction behind an idea with a proof of concept, it's much easier to change the law when you've demonstrated an obviously better solution.

A company should never act unethically. That does not make all laws worthy of respect. Just have a very detailed understanding of the consequences.

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#34

Post by ethanbond »

marssaxman wrote: post #10
rquantz wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, a company with an illegal business model stayed under the radar until they got big enough that they could combat the legal challenges to their illegal business model. Always a pleasure to watch.

When their business model is only illegal due to a corrupt, inefficient, entrenched monopoly which is just as hostile to its customers as its employees, yes, it is indeed a pleasure to watch someone take on the machine and win.

This seems like a non-sequitur. The business model was made illegal by people who were voted into office to make business models like these illegal.

Uber isn't wrong to push the letter of the law, but no one should be surprised that it will take a little bit of time for the law to adapt to this. Uber's vicious and cavalier attitude towards law in general is really disgraceful.

This seems like a classic "ends justify the means" type of scenario, and I'm generally skeptical of these.

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#35

Post by greenyoda »

onewaystreet wrote: post #28
pbreit wrote: post #4

More accurate headline: De Blasio legislative threat successful in persuading Uber to turn over data at 11th hour. California wasn't able to get that result with its $7m fine.

Not really, defeating the cap was much more important to Uber than the data access.

They haven't defeated the cap yet. According to the article, there will be no cap while a four-month study proceeds, and a cap may still be imposed, depending on the conclusions of the study:

The city will conduct a four-month study on the effect of Uber and other for-hire vehicle operators on the city’s traffic and environment.

While the study is being conducted, de Blasio won't seek to cap the number of new vehicles Uber or other car services can put on the road. But de Blasio administration officials say a cap is still a possibility in the future.

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#36

Post by JoshTriplett »

deegles wrote: post #23
marssaxman wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When their business model is only illegal due to a corrupt, inefficient, entrenched monopoly which is just as hostile to its customers as its employees, yes, it is indeed a pleasure to watch someone take on the machine and win.

Yes, once Uber takes the crown they will behave ethically, operate within the confines of the law and re-classify their drivers as employees with full benefits. They also won't even consider dropping them as soon as self-driving car technology matures. /s

> re-classify their drivers as employees with full benefits

In what way is this an ethical concern? Many other businesses work with contractors. Considering that drivers compete with each other, work hours of their choice, and supply their own equipment, what exactly makes them employees?

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#37

Post by JumpCrisscross »

There was un-coördinated public outreach, too. It may be unmerited graciousness, but a council member and a senior City administrator each told me, on separate occasions, that I swung their position on the bill.

New Yorkers have shit to do and places to go. I'm fine with paying for a congestion charge. But it needs to be fairly applied across traffic. Engaging regulators and - in a balanced and sensible way - poking them in their flabby spots, when warranted, is a well-tread feature of democracy. If you care about something, reach out to your local representatives.

Disclaimer: I don't work, nor ever have worked, for Uber. Neither do I hold a position in their stock, et cetera. I am a frequent rider. I've had many severely upsetting experiences with yellow cabs.

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#38

Post by seizethecheese »

littletimmy wrote: post #20

Pity. This modern day exploitation should end. Uber's huge profits are because they exploit people for labor. Ban it already.

As far as I know every Uber driver chooses to be one. Also, to be an Uber driver you have to own a relatively new car... I couldn't even drive for Uber because my car is too cheap. These people are not helpless.

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#39

Post by bko »

Whatever you think about Uber, you have to realize that de Blasio's actions are not about congestion or the public's interest.

Let's not forget his original plan to have the city pre-approve upgrades to ride-hailing apps:

> The mayor’s plan to require Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and other ride-hailing services to get city approval for upgrades to the user interface on smartphone apps -- and to pony up $1,000 each time they do -- has rankled a broad swath of companies, with 27 signing a letter protesting his plan.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-05-28/tech-c...

Re: Uber has defeated Bill de Blasio’s plan to rein them in

#40

Post by danhak »

ethanbond wrote: post #34
marssaxman wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When their business model is only illegal due to a corrupt, inefficient, entrenched monopoly which is just as hostile to its customers as its employees, yes, it is indeed a pleasure to watch someone take on the machine and win.

This seems like a non-sequitur. The business model was made illegal by people who were voted into office to make business models like these illegal. Uber isn't wrong to push the letter of the law, but no one should be surprised that it will take a little bit of time for the law to adapt to this. Uber's vicious and cavalier attitude towards law in general is really disgraceful. This seems like a classic "ends justify…

> The business model was made illegal by people who were voted into office to make business models like these illegal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture

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