5 chapters across the catalog
Uber and Lyft have officially dropped their masking requirements for both drivers and passengers in the United States. A report from KQED features a Bay Area driver's perspective on the change, highlighting the shift in safety concerns post-vaccination. The hosts mock the lingering debate over mask effectiveness.
Silicon Valley Media Liability and Uber's Regulatory Hubris
The discussion turns to the legal risks faced by social media companies like Twitter and Facebook as they begin to act as editors rather than common carriers. By editorializing content, they may lose "safe harbor" protections under the DMCA. The hosts also mock Uber's refusal to obtain autonomous vehicle permits in California and note the AP Stylebook's new requirement to call these companies "ride-hailing" rather than "ride-sharing" services.
A conversation with an Austin-based Uber driver reveals the daily financial struggles of rideshare workers, with the driver reporting earnings of less than $100 for a full day's work. The discussion covers the safety concerns of working after midnight and the "Uber Select" clientele. The segment concludes with a host handing out a promotional "No Agenda" disc and business card to the driver.
A recent Uber trip to the Austin airport involved a messy minivan that appeared to be used as a primary residence by the driver. The experience serves as a contrast to typical professional car services, noting the "trashy" condition of the vehicle despite the driver's proficiency.
The rise of Uber is framed as the "downgrade" of the middle class, where individuals use their personal vehicles to serve as "slaves" to the elite. The hosts argue that the gig economy has rebranded a scummy, difficult business—taxi driving—into a trendy lifestyle choice for the economically displaced.
