You could discuss the viability of how and if the app would work in a real setting. But maybe the app already set out to do what it was meant to do - to raise awareness about pregnant commuters (check - they got covered by the BBC), or (cynical, but more realistic) - the innovation agency got to show off how innovative they are and can use some nice "featured by the BBC" in their marketing communication.
New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
61–70 of 78 posts
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#62Not to be that guy, but what happened to being a decent human being and just getting up for pregnant women and elderly people? Do we really need an app for that now? As a founder I really do see lot's of value in technology to drive our society forwards, but I just can't wrap my head around some stuff..
I have literally once offered my seat to a pregnant woman on the Tube in London and it turned out that she was just overweight round the middle and not pregnant. It was extremely embarrassing for both of us. I greatly appreciate the women who wear these badges: https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/23479.aspx because it makes it unambiguous. It can honestly be hard on a packed London underground train to tell the difference betwe…
I don't see the problem here. Those rare times I'm on a crowded train (I don't normally live in a city with such things), I frequently offer my seat to women, pregnant or not. Them being pregnant isn't important, only that they're female. Sorry if that's old-fashioned, but a lot of women do still seem to appreciate such gestures from men.
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#63My pregnant wife has a similar app, it is called 'her mouth'. It is revolutionary: you go up to people and you simply state 'Hello, I am sorry, would you mind letting me sit here? I am pregnant.'
I had to read that several times before I realized she didn't actually have such an app and now I an wondering if it would help people to make one.
> now I an wondering if it would help people to make one.
Isn't that what the article says?
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
Also simply asking people to give over their seat. That's exactly what the app does. Why not ask people directly? Just to avoid having to talk to them? Seems very strange to me.
Why not ask people directly? Imagine public transport was full of 90% polite people who would happily give up their seat, and 10% assholes who'd get in your face for no good reason. And you couldn't tell those people apart. If all the polite people had the app installed, using it would let you address them and avoid the 10%.
Imagine if public transport was full of 90% polite people, and 10% full of selfish people, who'd say "sorry, no". Then this app wouldn't have to exist.
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#65My pregnant wife has a similar app, it is called 'her mouth'. It is revolutionary: you go up to people and you simply state 'Hello, I am sorry, would you mind letting me sit here? I am pregnant.'
My wife has that app too, but has the enhanced US Midwest edition. After 4-5 months, she doesn't even have to use her mouth anymore. People just offer her their seat. Best thing is, it's free!
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#66Not to be that guy, but what happened to being a decent human being and just getting up for pregnant women and elderly people? Do we really need an app for that now? As a founder I really do see lot's of value in technology to drive our society forwards, but I just can't wrap my head around some stuff..
The detail you and a lot of other respondents seem to be missing is that they actually did do research (at least it sounds like they ran some focus groups), and one of the things they discovered is that pregnant women were feeling the most ill and in need of a seat the most were early in their pregnancy and not showing yet. I'm sure many would feel uncomfortable asking someone to move for them, so having an established non-confrontational mechanism could help. On the other hand, I would echo many of the sentiments in this thread - I make it a point to stand unless there are many empty seats, but I've also been spontaneously engaged for an argument by a women who was insulted that I stood after she boarded the train. So I often just stand the whole time to avoid it all.
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#67Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#68The fact that a human reporter can write this article without including a single note of skepticism is truly sad.
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#69My pregnant wife has a similar app, it is called 'her mouth'. It is revolutionary: you go up to people and you simply state 'Hello, I am sorry, would you mind letting me sit here? I am pregnant.'
what's her business plan? how will she monetize?
Preemptively sell the child's future production via debt-based economy.
Re: New seat alert app for pregnant commuters
#70You need an app to give your seat up to a pregnant woman?! WTF? What happened to manners?