No thread for this yet? :unsure:
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2014/dec/15/sydney-siege-reports-of-hostage-situation-inside-martin-place-cafe-live
Remember when Islamists used to be James Bond villains? Now they're all street-level and gritty. It sucks.
Quote from: Ideologue on December 14, 2014, 11:37:15 PM
Remember when Islamists used to be James Bond villains? Now they're all street-level and gritty. It sucks.
Goddamned Christopher Nolan.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 14, 2014, 11:43:21 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on December 14, 2014, 11:37:15 PM
Remember when Islamists used to be James Bond villains? Now they're all street-level and gritty. It sucks.
Goddamned Christopher Nolan.
^_^
Quote from: Ideologue on December 14, 2014, 11:37:15 PM
Remember when Islamists used to be James Bond villains? Now they're all street-level and gritty. It sucks.
I like them better when they were being killed by Chuck Norris on a rocket-shooting motorcycle. :(
Barry Bostwick. :P
Megaforce. So rad. :wub:
Quote from: Ideologue on December 14, 2014, 11:55:34 PM
Barry Bostwick. :P
Megaforce. So rad. :wub:
Wrong movie. :mad:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickeringmyth.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2Fdeltabike.jpg&hash=098e26ec949c7b0a677e916798ff2455071d21ec)
Whoa! :o Well, I'll be damned.
My uncle had that on tape, but my dad wouldn't let me watch it. :( But Howard's End? A-OK. Ugh.
Quote from: Ideologue on December 14, 2014, 11:37:15 PM
Remember when Islamists used to be James Bond villains? Now they're all street-level and gritty. It sucks.
I remember when they were the good guys in a James Bond Movie.
The Spy Who Loved Me. :wub:
Or From Russia with Love, if Turks count.
QuoteNo thread for this yet?
Did you post one and forget about it?
Quote from: Tonitrus on December 15, 2014, 12:00:27 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on December 14, 2014, 11:55:34 PM
Barry Bostwick. :P
Megaforce. So rad. :wub:
Wrong movie. :mad:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickeringmyth.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2Fdeltabike.jpg&hash=098e26ec949c7b0a677e916798ff2455071d21ec)
:lol: :thumbsup:
I blame the coffee shop. This never happens in tea rooms :bowler:
A former co-worker of mine now works in a building directly across the street from where that chocolate shop is and we were talking about it in realtime last night via Facebook while it was unfolding... they evacuated his building. Gave me 9/11 flashbacks of having to evacuate Boston.
Fly in that Canadian sergeant-at-arms.
These terrorists are clearly not islamic. There is nothing in Qu'ran about taking hostages in coffee shops. Implying their actions have anything to do with Islam is offensive and racist.
From the latest BBC updates:
Police have stormed the cafe where the gunman has been holding a number of people hostage, AP and Reuters news agencies say.
Police say they believe the man who seized hostages is Man Haron Monis - an Iranian-born cleric who has been granted asylum in Australia.
He is well known to the Australian police. The cleric is currently on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and is facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. Man Haron Monis is currently on bail for a string of violent offences and has a conviction for sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Flive-experience%2Fcps%2F624%2Fmcs%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F79740000%2Fjpg%2F_79740452_025127028-1.jpg&hash=840d286fe80d82825a3dbeaf3a14befe25ada098)
Sounds like a real charmer <_<
Hopefully he has been shot dead and won't be troubling us any longer.
Looks like it's over. There are reports the gunman was shot dead in an exchange of fire in which police and hostages were injured.
Bomb disposal team going in now.
Quote from: Brazen on December 15, 2014, 10:40:55 AM
There are reports the gunman was shot dead
So much for "asylum" then.
AUSTRALIA LIED
ASYLUM SEEKER DIED
Quote from: Caliga on December 15, 2014, 05:54:31 AM
A former co-worker of mine now works in a building directly across the street from where that chocolate shop is and we were talking about it in realtime last night via Facebook while it was unfolding... they evacuated his building. Gave me 9/11 flashbacks of having to evacuate Boston.
That must have been an interesting FB conversation, and alarming.
Sounds like the decision to give him asylum and then let him out on bail while he is a proven dirtbag may have been a bad one.
Quote from: Brazen on December 15, 2014, 10:35:43 AM
From the latest BBC updates:
Police have stormed the cafe where the gunman has been holding a number of people hostage, AP and Reuters news agencies say.
Police say they believe the man who seized hostages is Man Haron Monis - an Iranian-born cleric who has been granted asylum in Australia.
He is well known to the Australian police. The cleric is currently on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and is facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. Man Haron Monis is currently on bail for a string of violent offences and has a conviction for sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Flive-experience%2Fcps%2F624%2Fmcs%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F79740000%2Fjpg%2F_79740452_025127028-1.jpg&hash=840d286fe80d82825a3dbeaf3a14befe25ada098)
Sounds like a real charmer <_<
How the hell did he get convicted of being obnoxious by mail but not for murder, sexual assault and indecent assault?
Quote from: KRonn on December 15, 2014, 10:46:21 AM
That must have been an interesting FB conversation, and alarming.
Not to mention monstrous.
Quote from: Viking on December 15, 2014, 12:32:26 PM
How the hell did he get convicted of being obnoxious by mail but not for murder, sexual assault and indecent assault?
Well the article blurb suggests that he was currently facing those other charges...
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 01:37:55 PM
Quote from: Viking on December 15, 2014, 12:32:26 PM
How the hell did he get convicted of being obnoxious by mail but not for murder, sexual assault and indecent assault?
Well the article blurb suggests that he was currently facing those other charges...
He's a Muslim, he should be immediately convicted upon being accused.
One of the Islamoid's demands was to have the flag of Islamic State delivered to the cafe. An Iranian supporting ISIS? :wacko:
Quote from: Legbiter on December 15, 2014, 03:07:24 PM
One of the Islamoid's demands was to have the flag of Islamic State delivered to the cafe. An Iranian supporting ISIS? :wacko:
Maybe he's Sunni.
Has to be, ISIS is fond of beheading Shias.
Where's the beef??! :o
Quote from: Viking on December 15, 2014, 12:32:26 PM
Quote from: Brazen on December 15, 2014, 10:35:43 AM
From the latest BBC updates:
Police have stormed the cafe where the gunman has been holding a number of people hostage, AP and Reuters news agencies say.
Police say they believe the man who seized hostages is Man Haron Monis - an Iranian-born cleric who has been granted asylum in Australia.
He is well known to the Australian police. The cleric is currently on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and is facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. Man Haron Monis is currently on bail for a string of violent offences and has a conviction for sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Flive-experience%2Fcps%2F624%2Fmcs%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F79740000%2Fjpg%2F_79740452_025127028-1.jpg&hash=840d286fe80d82825a3dbeaf3a14befe25ada098)
Sounds like a real charmer <_<
How the hell did he get convicted of being obnoxious by mail but not for murder, sexual assault and indecent assault?
Sending offensive letters shouldn't be a crime anyway.
Quote from: Viking on December 15, 2014, 12:32:26 PM
How the hell did he get convicted of being obnoxious by mail but not for murder, sexual assault and indecent assault?
Because proving he sent something in the mail is easier then proving indecent assault.
Quote from: Viking on December 15, 2014, 12:32:26 PM
How the hell did he get convicted of being obnoxious by mail but not for murder, sexual assault and indecent assault?
Probably because he wasn't convicted yet, just awaiting trial and out on bail. Seems like a pretty light pre-trial release system down there. Must be guilt from that whole penal colony thing back in the day.
lol penal
Quote from: Caliga on December 15, 2014, 12:47:40 PM
Quote from: KRonn on December 15, 2014, 10:46:21 AM
That must have been an interesting FB conversation, and alarming.
Not to mention monstrous.
I was talking to him again just now and he's telling me how everyone is calling this Australia's 9/11, but since he was in America for the real 9/11 he's pretty jaded and feels bad about that fact.
Quote from: Caliga on December 15, 2014, 10:33:37 PM
I was talking to him again just now and he's telling me how everyone is calling this Australia's 9/11, but since he was in America for the real 9/11 he's pretty jaded and feels bad about that fact.
Oh, please. This isn't even Australia's Port Arthur. Hell, this isn't even Australia's Last Weekend in Chicago.
Uber - in yet another PR coup - turns on surge pricing for people trying to get away from the area with the gunman.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.kinja-img.com%2Fgawker-media%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fs--g80A_a0y--%2Fc_fit%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_80%2Cw_636%2Fel9hhmiuou8t5sqrgmge.jpg&hash=4e2909f15111373cdaf734530045d33c9dd77f9f)
... and yeah, they knew what was going on:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.kinja-img.com%2Fgawker-media%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fs--8T5l6RVx--%2Fc_fit%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_80%2Cw_636%2Fenitebjwdxyxt1pll5m1.jpg&hash=6a9ad8ffb7cde33f7df0cd75fd8cf4629c9df31e)
http://gawker.com/uber-turned-on-surge-pricing-for-people-fleeing-sydney-1671193132?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
It's simply the demands of the market, Jacob. Let it work its magic.
There's this giant pile of flowers outside the cafe and he keeps taking pictures of it from his office window as it gets bigger and bigger. It's like blobbing out or something. I expect to see Matt Dillon show up soon and drive a truck of liquid nitrogen into it.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 10:49:42 PM
Uber - in yet another PR coup - turns on surge pricing for people trying to get away from the area with the gunman.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.kinja-img.com%2Fgawker-media%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fs--g80A_a0y--%2Fc_fit%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_80%2Cw_636%2Fel9hhmiuou8t5sqrgmge.jpg&hash=4e2909f15111373cdaf734530045d33c9dd77f9f)
... and yeah, they knew what was going on:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.kinja-img.com%2Fgawker-media%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fs--8T5l6RVx--%2Fc_fit%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_80%2Cw_636%2Fenitebjwdxyxt1pll5m1.jpg&hash=6a9ad8ffb7cde33f7df0cd75fd8cf4629c9df31e)
http://gawker.com/uber-turned-on-surge-pricing-for-people-fleeing-sydney-1671193132?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
...Golly.
I wonder how is it that Uber is so tone deaf? Where are their marketing and PR people?
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 11:17:42 PM
I wonder how is it that Uber is so tone deaf? Where are their marketing and PR people?
I know you're not fond of Seedy's socio-economic analysis, but I do think there's some truth to his contention that Silicon Valley is full of dumbass nerd-bros in love with their own egos and shallow randist libertarianism.
They've never been outside their bubble before they were validated with millions of dollars through the start-up bonanza, so they assume the world actually functions the way they envisioned when having profound stoned conversations in first year uni after taking Econ 101.
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 11:17:42 PM
I wonder how is it that Uber is so tone deaf? Where are their marketing and PR people?
they're geeks. They don't do marketing, only coding.
Quote from: viper37 on December 15, 2014, 11:24:16 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 11:17:42 PM
I wonder how is it that Uber is so tone deaf? Where are their marketing and PR people?
they're geeks. They don't do marketing, only coding.
Because, geeks can't hire staff to perform functions that they can't handle? :huh:
@Jacob - I guess so. It is harder for me to wrap my head around as those that I knew never struck me as so offensive(?) / seemed that they had enough sense to know where their talents lay and their limits.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:21:36 PM
I know you're not fond of Seedy's socio-economic analysis, but I do think there's some truth to his contention that Silicon Valley is full of dumbass nerd-bros in love with their own egos and shallow randist libertarianism.
They've never been outside their bubble before they were validated with millions of dollars through the start-up bonanza, so they assume the world actually functions the way they envisioned when having profound stoned conversations in first year uni after taking Econ 101.
http://www.reddit.com/r/programmingcirclejerk/
That's, like, a good 25% of our material.
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 11:28:24 PM
@Jacob - I guess so. It is harder for me to wrap my head around as those that I knew never struck me as so offensive(?) / seemed that they had enough sense to know where their talents lay and their limits.
Sense and limits go out the window when they're getting buried in obscene amounts of cash.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:21:36 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 11:17:42 PM
I wonder how is it that Uber is so tone deaf? Where are their marketing and PR people?
I know you're not fond of Seedy's socio-economic analysis, but I do think there's some truth to his contention that Silicon Valley is full of dumbass nerd-bros in love with their own egos and shallow randist libertarianism.
They've never been outside their bubble before they were validated with millions of dollars through the start-up bonanza, so they assume the world actually functions the way they envisioned when having profound stoned conversations in first year uni after taking Econ 101.
Careful, Jake, lest Hurricane Berkut makes landfall at Cat 5 on your ass.
Quote from: garbon on December 15, 2014, 11:28:24 PMBecause, geeks can't hire staff to perform functions that they can't handle? :huh:
Only once they know they can't handle them, and if they have the charisma and insight to get millions of dollars in funding, they obviously know what's what.
I think it's believing in their own pitch (which is highly tuned to appeal to Venture Capitalists) to such a degree that they don't realize the that whole world doesn't think like VCs.
Quote@Jacob - I guess so. It is harder for me to wrap my head around as those that I knew never struck me as so offensive(?) / seemed that they had enough sense to know where their talents lay and their limits.
There are plenty of good people there as well, but my impression from my exposure (some) and reading (more) is that they're facing a bunch of the same issues that any demographically narrow highly focused group of people will have when they get plenty of validation and little negative feedback from anyone who can actually touch them. Lots of issue around sexism, unexamined racism, age- and class- issues, and just general lifestyle assumptions. It seems Uber is exemplifying a bunch of them recently.
It's not that they're particularly bad as individuals or it's some exceptional thing, I don't think, it's just that they've built up this particular kind of bro-culture and only recently have they even begun to be cognizant of the fact that there may be some potential problems with that. And you don't hire PR people to manage those potential problems if you don't know they might exist at all - I bet most of the PR people they have have been hired from within that culture.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:21:36 PM
I know you're not fond of Seedy's socio-economic analysis, but I do think there's some truth to his contention that Silicon Valley is full of dumbass nerd-bros in love with their own egos and shallow randist libertarianism.
They've never been outside their bubble before they were validated with millions of dollars through the start-up bonanza, so they assume the world actually functions the way they envisioned when having profound stoned conversations in first year uni after taking Econ 101.
The basis of their model is an increase in price will bring more drivers into the pool, thus accomodating more passengers. Do you have any reason to believe this is not in fact what happens?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 15, 2014, 11:34:51 PMCareful, Jake, lest Hurricane Berkut makes landfall at Cat 5 on your ass.
I've got some disaster readiness plans. It's been a while since I put them to the test.
Besides, I think he's more fierce on you than on me - I think he reckons you're one of his own who's gone astray whereas I'm just a write-off. Same reason I go off on Ide more than most here.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 15, 2014, 11:38:56 PMThe basis of their model is an increase in price will bring more drivers into the pool, thus accomodating more passengers. Do you have any reason to believe this is not in fact what happens?
That is apparently what happens. What also happens is that nakedly engaging in that practice during natural disasters and terrorist attacks does not make for positive PR.
So their economic model is, it seems, correct, but their PR model is not. garbon was asking how that state of affairs had come to pass, and my theory is that they're so in love with their economic model that they thought it was an adequate PR model as well.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:43:09 PM
That is apparently what happens. What also happens is that nakedly engaging in that practice during natural disasters and terrorist attacks does not make for positive PR.
So their economic model is, it seems, correct, but their PR model is not. garbon was asking how that state of affairs had come to pass, and my theory is that they're so in love with their economic model that they thought it was an adequate PR model as well.
On what basis do you judge their PR model is a failure, in that it offends your sensibilities? My guess is Uber's target market is people who, when given the choice of a pricey ride at a busy time or nobly waiting in for a non-existent base price taxi, opt for the former.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:43:09 PM
That is apparently what happens. What also happens is that nakedly engaging in that practice during natural disasters and terrorist attacks does not make for positive PR.
So their economic model is, it seems, correct, but their PR model is not. garbon was asking how that state of affairs had come to pass, and my theory is that they're so in love with their economic model that they thought it was an adequate PR model as well.
What Uber's Sydney Surge Pricing Debacle Says About Its Public Image (http://www.wired.com/2014/12/uber-surge-sydney/)
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 15, 2014, 11:48:15 PMOn what basis do you judge their PR model is a failure, in that it offends your sensibilities? My guess is Uber's target market is people who, when given the choice of a pricey ride at a busy time or nobly waiting in for a non-existent base price taxi, opt for the former.
I base it as a failure based on their reaction to the public's response.
They used surge pricing during Hurricane Sandy and got serious backlash. Subsequently they instituted a US wide policy of no surge pricing during natural disasters.
In the case of Sydney, they later apologized, offered free rides in the area, and offered refunds to people who'd paid the increased pricing.
Now, I know you're notoriously hard to convince on this kind of stuff, but to me - and I believe to garbon as well - that indicates that the company thought they had a PR issue at hand and were attempting to address it.
Uber is currently facing some of the now usual issues on rolling out in Vancouver. Certainly the local people I've discussed their actions in Sydney with seem to put that down in the column against Uber, which makes me think it's not an isolated reaction.
Incidentally, I've not said anything about my sensibilities regarding this, nor, I believe about Uber in general, so it seems to me that you're reading positions into my words that aren't there. garbon is the one who's classified their actions as "that offensive".
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 15, 2014, 11:50:23 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:43:09 PM
That is apparently what happens. What also happens is that nakedly engaging in that practice during natural disasters and terrorist attacks does not make for positive PR.
So their economic model is, it seems, correct, but their PR model is not. garbon was asking how that state of affairs had come to pass, and my theory is that they're so in love with their economic model that they thought it was an adequate PR model as well.
What Uber's Sydney Surge Pricing Debacle Says About Its Public Image (http://www.wired.com/2014/12/uber-surge-sydney/)
That link seems to suggest that it was an automated accident of sorts, whereas Jacob's notes it as an intentional decision at the time that they then tried to correct once they got blowback.
I found this comment interesting / pretty much how I feel.
QuoteA significant part of the problem is that Uber offices in at least one city were caught telling drivers to stay home in order to inflate Surge fees. The company has also been credibly accused of deliberately hiring and canceling drivers from other services to make their competitors less available.
I believe both of those problems where in NYC, and Uber gives more latitude to its individual office operators than most companies would, but these contribute to the narrative of a deeply problematic company.
It's not just the surge pricing. It's that the company talking about surge pricing has also been caught openly discussing waging a PR war against journalists, attempts to argue that its drivers aren't taxi operators to dodge regulation, has had multiple on-record incidents of problematic interactions with women, doesn't offer any of the guarantees of a conventional taxi company, and THEN also has a pricing model many feel is predatory.
I think taxi companies are, by and large, an abusive cartel. Uber has had so many screw-ups and problems in the past 12-18 months, it's starting to make me root for them anyway.
Predatory pricing model. For Pete's sake.
Ok well maybe not that part. I don't know enough about their pricing model to have a comment. :D
And nor do I think it necessarily bad to adopt such a model. ^_^
Looks to me like this was a case of a lone nutter (who happened to be a Muslim) rather than a further disturbing case ot terrorism. Interesting that it got so much more attention than this incident http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30484534 , at least in the media outlets I use.
I find it a sad testimony to modern media that the killer is given long bios while noone mentions two of the victims (the shop owner and one barrista) who apparently tried to stop him and were shot.
I find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to modern media that the killer is given long bios while noone mentions two of the victims (the shop owner and one barrista) who apparently tried to stop him and were shot.
Says the guy that sees moral equivalency in prenatal birth defects and kicking an infant in the head. :lol: Save the faux indignation bullshit for people who'll buy it.
Oh wait, the manager was gay. That explains the indignation. Rawr, Pink Nation.
QuoteI find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
Have a Junior Mint. They're very refreshing.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 16, 2014, 08:51:20 AM
Says the guy that sees moral equivalency in prenatal birth defects and kicking an infant in the head. :lol: Save the faux indignation bullshit for people who'll buy it.
Oh wait, the manager was gay. That explains the indignation. Rawr, Pink Nation.
Fuck you and your mad google skills. :P
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
What is there to say about fundamentalist Islam that hasn't been said many times over since 2003?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 12:12:58 AM
Predatory pricing model. For Pete's sake.
What's your objection to that description?
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to modern media that the killer is given long bios while noone mentions two of the victims (the shop owner and one barrista) who apparently tried to stop him and were shot.
Yeah, it's a pity.
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 11:46:43 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 12:12:58 AM
Predatory pricing model. For Pete's sake.
What's your objection to that description?
You're missing the point of surge pricing, Jacob; it's not about the
customers, it's about the
drivers.
Quote from: The Brain on December 16, 2014, 10:07:13 AM
What can we do more than call for the destruction of Islam?
Actually start to heed the call?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 16, 2014, 11:48:55 AM
You're missing the point of surge pricing, Jacob; it's not about the customers, it's about the drivers.
Sure.
And the customers will perceive it as being predatory towards them. Thus PR problem.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:38:17 PM
There are plenty of good people there as well, but my impression from my exposure (some) and reading (more) is that they're facing a bunch of the same issues that any demographically narrow highly focused group of people will have when they get plenty of validation and little negative feedback from anyone who can actually touch them. Lots of issue around sexism, unexamined racism, age- and class- issues, and just general lifestyle assumptions. It seems Uber is exemplifying a bunch of them recently.
:bleeding:
Quote from: derspiess on December 16, 2014, 12:27:21 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:38:17 PM
There are plenty of good people there as well, but my impression from my exposure (some) and reading (more) is that they're facing a bunch of the same issues that any demographically narrow highly focused group of people will have when they get plenty of validation and little negative feedback from anyone who can actually touch them. Lots of issue around sexism, unexamined racism, age- and class- issues, and just general lifestyle assumptions. It seems Uber is exemplifying a bunch of them recently.
:bleeding:
:lol:
Quote from: derspiess on December 16, 2014, 12:58:42 PM
Nah, you're right. In fact, all problems are probably due to a lack of diversity.
No diverse communities could do evil!
Quote from: derspiess on December 16, 2014, 12:58:42 PM
Nah, you're right. In fact, all problems are probably due to a lack of diversity.
I think you missed my point entirely.
Quote from: derspiess on December 16, 2014, 12:58:42 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 12:34:30 PM
Quote from: derspiess on December 16, 2014, 12:27:21 PM:bleeding:
:bleeding:
Nah, you're right. In fact, all problems are probably due to a lack of diversity.
You make a good point. Or put differently intolerance to diversity.
Quote from: crazy canuck on December 16, 2014, 01:03:33 PM
You make a good point. Or put differently intolerance to diversity.
Well I look forward to paradise breaking out then. I mean we are going to have diverse communities in the modern world anyway, so glad to know there will be fewer problems.
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2014, 01:06:11 PMWell I look forward to paradise breaking out then. I mean we are going to have diverse communities in the modern world anyway, so glad to know there will be fewer problems.
Alright, so we've got you, spicy, and leggy all embracing the strawman at this point. Hope you have a good time with it :hug:
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 11:46:43 AM
What's your objection to that description?
Because it's based on the premise that supply and price are unrelated. In a world where consumers feel surge pricing is "predatory," they should be just as happy to wait hours for the regular taxis that are cruising around. If someone wants a normally priced cab instantly during a very busy time, such as New Year's Eve, and they're upset they can't get one, they're suffering from cognitive dissonance.
Uber's entire business is built around ramping up supply during busy times to meet increased demand, and the mechanism they use is price.
A logically consistent person doesn't expect to have their cake and eat it too.
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2014, 01:06:11 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on December 16, 2014, 01:03:33 PM
You make a good point. Or put differently intolerance to diversity.
Well I look forward to paradise breaking out then. I mean we are going to have diverse communities in the modern world anyway, so glad to know there will be fewer problems.
I base my comment on my observation of what occurred in this area as diversity increased. Years ago there was a significant amount of racism toward the Asian communities (both the Indian/Sikh and Chinese/East Asian communities). But as our diversity increased and we had more immigration from non European countries tolerance increased markedly. There are still elements of intolerance of course. A society can never fully rid itself of its idiots. But we have definitely come a long way.
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2014, 01:06:11 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on December 16, 2014, 01:03:33 PM
You make a good point. Or put differently intolerance to diversity.
Well I look forward to paradise breaking out then. I mean we are going to have diverse communities in the modern world anyway, so glad to know there will be fewer problems.
Affirming the consequent?
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 01:07:37 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2014, 01:06:11 PMWell I look forward to paradise breaking out then. I mean we are going to have diverse communities in the modern world anyway, so glad to know there will be fewer problems.
Alright, so we've got you, spicy, and leggy all embracing the strawman at this point. Hope you have a good time with it :hug:
It is not the first time I have heard this argument thrown around. I hope it is true. Whether you made it I have no idea, I just came in and saw Spicey's comment. I hope I did not offend you in some way.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 01:10:28 PM
Because it's based on the premise that supply and price are unrelated. In a world where consumers feel surge pricing is "predatory," they should be just as happy to wait hours for the regular taxis that are cruising around. If someone wants a normally priced cab instantly during a very busy time, such as New Year's Eve, and they're upset they can't get one, they're suffering from cognitive dissonance.
I think the issue comes at the extreme. When people are desperate - and I mean actually desperate, like during natural disasters, terrorist attacks, shortages of basic necessities etc rather than wanting a cab during New Years Eve - then letting the profit rise proportionally is perceived as predatory.
I agree with you that there is no issue about raising prices during New Years Eve or whatever. It's when you let panic increase your profit margins that it looks bad, especially in cases where it appears you're reacting specifically to the panic rather than supply and demand.
QuoteUber's entire business is built around ramping up supply during busy times to meet increased demand, and the mechanism they use is price.
Yeah, it makes total sense from an Econ 101, supply and demand perspective. It's neat and clean and logical. But just because it's neat and clean and logical and makes sense doesn't mean it can't take advantage of people in vulnerable positions.
If you think Uber's business model relies entirely on supply and demand, you're leaving out a significant component - goodwill. They started out strong, with the story of a scrappy start-up, meeting peoples needs and so on. A good sexy story. But they're slowly accumulating a reputation as assholes, and increasing profits when people are desperate feeds into that, no matter how much it makes Econ 101 sense; and that impacts user acquisition rates and possibly regulatory battles in various places and thus has real costs.
QuoteA logically consistent person doesn't expect to have their cake and eat it too.
A PR strategy that relies on people being logically consistent is a poor PR strategy.
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2014, 01:21:24 PMIt is not the first time I have heard this argument thrown around. I hope it is true. Whether you made it I have no idea, I just came in and saw Spicey's comment. I hope I did not offend you in some way.
Ah, I see. I thought you were taking Spicy's reply to my post as being on point when it was not. If you're just engaging with him with no reference to what I posted, then it's all good from my POV. Have at it :hug:
There's a lot of ways Uber can use price to their advantage during a crisis without looking like an asshole. They could forgo their own cut. They can let the price for the taxi go up but not as much for the rider, subsidizing the fare in effect. It might not be great business in the short run but in the long run it makes them look a lot nicer.
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 01:33:56 PM
Yeah, it makes total sense from an Econ 101, supply and demand perspective. It's neat and clean and logical. But just because it's neat and clean and logical and makes sense doesn't mean it can't take advantage of people in vulnerable positions.
'
Uber has a decentralized structure - the drivers are free agents.
So increases in price aren't just a reflection of high demand, they are as Yi says a powerful mechanism to increase supply.
In a regime where there is price control, the response to situation like this is that supply dries up (why risk going to a trouble area?) or at best is much less than required. So for the people in "vulnerable positions" - are they better off getting cars for high prices or being completely stranded in the danger zone? That is the real choice here.
If Uber backs down here (as they did in the US on a similar issue) then the next time something like this happens people will just be out of luck.
Quote from: frunk on December 16, 2014, 01:43:03 PM
There's a lot of ways Uber can use price to their advantage during a crisis without looking like an asshole. They could forgo their own cut. They can let the price for the taxi go up but not as much for the rider, subsidizing the fare in effect. It might not be great business in the short run but in the long run it makes them look a lot nicer.
Yeah, using disasters of various kinds as an opportunity for good (and cheap) PR is classic. I mean, various Yakuza groups in Japan have been credited with better and quicker disaster responses than the government and there are few groups more predatory in practice than the Yakuza.
It'd be simple enough for Uber to do that too - have a protocol for recognizing a disaster. When a disaster is identified activate surge pricing so drivers are attracted, but make the prices for the consumers free or simply very low.
I don't think it would take much in the way of coding to implement. You'd get an increase in drivers, and an increase in users, and you'd get a story about how Uber rides in to save the day and help people get out of trouble. Sure, it'll cost $10K or maybe $50K, but that's peanuts when it comes to marketing - and being the guys who help people flee for their lives is pretty much the best reputation you can have. Being the guys who try to turn a few extra bucks when people are afraid of dying, on the other hand, is not a good rep (especially when the PR repercussions cause you to refund the money afterwards anyways).
Flee for their lives? That's overegging the pudding. Surely Uber drivers weren't whisking passengers away from a hail of gunfire.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on December 16, 2014, 01:47:37 PM
Uber has a decentralized structure - the drivers are free agents.
So increases in price aren't just a reflection of high demand, they are as Yi says a powerful mechanism to increase supply.
In a regime where there is price control, the response to situation like this is that supply dries up (why risk going to a trouble area?) or at best is much less than required. So for the people in "vulnerable positions" - are they better off getting cars for high prices or being completely stranded in the danger zone? That is the real choice here.
If Uber backs down here (as they did in the US on a similar issue) then the next time something like this happens people will just be out of luck.
That's obviously for Uber to decide. Do they want to continue to develop a reputation as the guys trying to turn a few extra bucks off of people being desperate and in fear of their lives? While econ 101 makes that reasonable, there's a PR cost associated nonetheless because many if not most people do not think along econ 101 lines.
Or do they just disappear, keeping their heads down? It does decrease the options available to people, yes.
Alternately, they could attempt to turn it into a PR positive by increasing the pricing from the drivers POV, but covering the cost. That comes at a cost to the company, and it's up to them to decide if it's worth it, but it'd be some of the best PR money can buy IMO.
In any case, it's going to be really hard to spin "we heard you're in trouble, and good news: we're going to help you by charging you more money" as a positive, though.
Quote from: garbon on December 16, 2014, 09:43:48 AM
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
What is there to say about fundamentalist Islam that hasn't been said many times over since 2003?
Dunno, have you started listening yet?
Having had to get taxis from the Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne CBDs during rush hour I can appreciate that predatory pricing might be required to get the drivers which aren't already stretched thin to end their vacation/abandon their kids/cancel a long planned vacation to drive down to the Sidney CBD.
Especially if bus or train services were somehow interrupted. As for the Uber haters, if you want to screw over Uber? Don't use their service. Most places where Taxis get licenced there is a form of monopolizing going on. That monopolizing is already price gouging the customers. Mini-cabs in london cost a fraction of what regular cabs cost and pirate taxis here in norway cost a fraction of when regular cabs cost. Perhaps that is the price you pay for not getting raped, perhaps not.
When taxi licences were handed out to people outside the "guild of taxi drivers" here in town about 10 years ago the prices fell slightly, but more importantly, it was now possible to get a cab at closing time on a friday or saturday night.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 01:55:45 PM
Flee for their lives? That's overegging the pudding. Surely Uber drivers weren't whisking passengers away from a hail of gunfire.
That's how people seem to be perceiving it. It does seem to me that people do tend to overestimate the danger they are actually in when in the proximity of a disaster scenario, but it's a hard narrative to counter.
So yes, overegging in terms of facts viewed after the fact or from a high level; not overegging from the perception of the people in the situation on the ground, or other people putting themselves in their shoes.
Is that the perception as described by Uber passengers in Sydney at the time, or by full time Uber haters?
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2014, 02:13:10 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 16, 2014, 09:43:48 AM
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
What is there to say about fundamentalist Islam that hasn't been said many times over since 2003?
Dunno, have you started listening yet?
To you? Definitely not.
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 01:33:56 PM
QuoteA logically consistent person doesn't expect to have their cake and eat it too.
A PR strategy that relies on people being logically consistent is a poor PR strategy.
Yeah PR has a lot to do with people's emotional responses real or expected.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 02:30:04 PM
Is that the perception as described by Uber passengers in Sydney at the time, or by full time Uber haters?
Maybe it's fuelled by Uber haters, but the narrative seems to be gaining ground.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 01:55:45 PM
Flee for their lives? That's overegging the pudding. Surely Uber drivers weren't whisking passengers away from a hail of gunfire.
Why would one have to be under a hail of gunfire to feel your life is in danger. Suicide bombers still seem to be a popular thing.
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 02:48:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 02:30:04 PM
Is that the perception as described by Uber passengers in Sydney at the time, or by full time Uber haters?
Maybe it's fuelled by Uber haters, but the narrative seems to be gaining ground.
Sounds like a PR problem.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 16, 2014, 04:45:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 02:48:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 02:30:04 PM
Is that the perception as described by Uber passengers in Sydney at the time, or by full time Uber haters?
Maybe it's fuelled by Uber haters, but the narrative seems to be gaining ground.
Sounds like a PR problem.
Or a diversity problem.
Quote from: derspiess on December 16, 2014, 05:14:06 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 16, 2014, 04:45:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 02:48:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2014, 02:30:04 PM
Is that the perception as described by Uber passengers in Sydney at the time, or by full time Uber haters?
Maybe it's fuelled by Uber haters, but the narrative seems to be gaining ground.
Sounds like a PR problem.
Or a diversity problem.
:bleeding:
:D
I'm getting rather tired of the 'this is our 9/11' line that's routinely trotted out after these incidents. Where will it end?
Lichtenstein - Man run down on pedestrian crossing, police chief say "this was our 9/11"
9/11 was a unique attack, an unprecedented attack on highly symbolic targets, that caused massive loss of civilian life and disrupted a major world city for some time. It came out of the blue, literally, on a bright blue fall morning.
In Australia in contrast, there had been forewarnings of attacks by Islamist sympathisers or 'lone wolf' attacks. And that's exactly what happened a marginal figure carried out a small scale attack that had very limited 'success'. The Australian government risks handing a posthumous victory to this socio-path, by blowing up it significance out of all proportions.
Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous. This is nowhere near 9/11, just like the nutcase shooting up Parliament in Canada was not anything like 9/11.
Every country needs their own 9/11. How else do you get terrible laws passed and justify horrible acts?
Tim's posts are my 9/11
Quote from: garbon on December 16, 2014, 02:39:30 PM
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2014, 02:13:10 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 16, 2014, 09:43:48 AM
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
What is there to say about fundamentalist Islam that hasn't been said many times over since 2003?
Dunno, have you started listening yet?
To you? Definitely not.
So, apparently it needs saying a few more times.
Quote from: sbr on December 16, 2014, 08:10:14 PM
Every country needs their own 9/11. How else do you get terrible laws passed and justify horrible acts?
Australia already got one, it's called the Port Arthur Massacre.
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2014, 09:10:52 PMSo, apparently it needs saying a few more times.
Repeating idiotic statements does not make them any more persuasive, as I'm sure you'd agree.
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2014, 11:15:12 PM
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2014, 09:10:52 PMSo, apparently it needs saying a few more times.
Repeating idiotic statements does not make them any more persuasive, as I'm sure you'd agree.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Lie
QuoteThe phrase was also used in a report prepared during the war by the United States Office of Strategic Services in describing Hitler's psychological profile:[5][6]
His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.[7]
Where is Natalia Romanova when you need Her.
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2014, 09:10:52 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 16, 2014, 02:39:30 PM
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2014, 02:13:10 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 16, 2014, 09:43:48 AM
Quote from: Martinus on December 16, 2014, 08:00:15 AM
I find it a sad testimony to Languish that this has been derailed into a thread about Uber. But then it is Jacob and garbon so to them uber is clearly more evil than fundamentalist Islam.
What is there to say about fundamentalist Islam that hasn't been said many times over since 2003?
Dunno, have you started listening yet?
To you? Definitely not.
So, apparently it needs saying a few more times.
Nope. As Jake's post suggest, I tune you out completely on said topics. You aren't capable of an intelligent thought on them.
Viking has some interesting things to say and clearly is knowledgeable on the subject, he is just so dogmatic and sure of himself it is not worth it to engage him. Sort of like Hansy is/was on political issues.
Quote from: Valmy on December 17, 2014, 12:10:57 AM
Viking has some interesting things to say and clearly is knowledgeable on the subject, he is just so dogmatic and sure of himself it is not worth it to engage him. Sort of like Hansy is/was on political issues.
I'd add that both are selectively knowledgeable on their subjects. They only keep facts that agree with their viewpoints.
Quote from: garbon on December 17, 2014, 12:16:01 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 17, 2014, 12:10:57 AM
Viking has some interesting things to say and clearly is knowledgeable on the subject, he is just so dogmatic and sure of himself it is not worth it to engage him. Sort of like Hansy is/was on political issues.
I'd add that both are selectively knowledgeable on their subjects. They only keep facts that agree with their viewpoints.
From the links he shows us, and the jargon he uses it's pretty clear where he gets his information. He often quotes to us documents he's never clearly never read because the websites and books he reads tell him that using these quotes makes his case. When called on it, he just keeps saying the same thing over and over.
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 16, 2014, 08:39:29 PM
Tim's posts are my 9/11
Well, they are what's needed to get majority behind waterboarding Tim. :hmm:
Speaking of a potential Polish 9/11, I walk to work and my firm is located in a relatively small office building in a university/residential area.
Now, if there was a 9/11 style attack in Warsaw, it would almost certainly be at two towers close by in the downtown. They house 90% of Polish offices of international law firms. :hmm:
Quote from: Valmy on December 17, 2014, 12:10:57 AM
Viking has some interesting things to say and clearly is knowledgeable on the subject, he is just so dogmatic and sure of himself it is not worth it to engage him. Sort of like Hansy is/was on political issues.
I am of the opinion that the followers of a religion which has god literally commanding the believers to attack the infidels and disbelievers will from time to time, especially in times of great stress, produce people who attack infidels and disbelievers primarily for the reason that they were commanded to by god.
I do not think any of you know what the word dogmatic means. I literally do not have any dogma to follow. Disagreeing with you on an issue, not matter how vociferously, does not make me dogmatic. It's just another pathetic attempt to dismiss me without dealing with my arguments.
Yeah, "dogmatic" means holding views that are being held without a proof and are considered axioms (while they are not universally accepted by everyone involved in the discussion). I don't think viking is holding such views.
In fact, if there was a dogmatic argument in this discussion, I would say it is the unshaken belief of some that tenets of the religion one professes have no influence on one's personal attitudes and actions.
Quote from: Martinus on December 17, 2014, 05:09:14 AM
Yeah, "dogmatic" means holding views that are being held without a proof and are considered axioms (while they are not universally accepted by everyone involved in the discussion). I don't think viking is holding such views.
In fact, if there was a dogmatic argument in this discussion, I would say it is the unshaken belief of some that tenets of the religion one professes have no influence on one's personal attitudes and actions.
Fortunately nobody has argued that. "Religion is bad" is a dogmatic idea. I would say that Viking holds to that idea.
Quote from: Martinus on December 17, 2014, 05:09:14 AM
In fact, if there was a dogmatic argument in this discussion, I would say it is the unshaken belief of some that tenets of the religion one professes have no influence on one's personal attitudes and actions.
Who in this discussion believes that?
Quote from: grumbler on December 17, 2014, 09:16:45 PM
Quote from: Martinus on December 17, 2014, 05:09:14 AM
In fact, if there was a dogmatic argument in this discussion, I would say it is the unshaken belief of some that tenets of the religion one professes have no influence on one's personal attitudes and actions.
Who in this discussion believes that?
It's so nice when we agree! :wub: Oh, and I loved the poem you PMed me.
Quote from: Razgovory on December 18, 2014, 12:50:31 AM
Oh, and I loved the poem you PMed me.
A grumbler original?
Oh, he's too bashful to admit it, but he really values my criticism in that area.
Raz,
Love poems delivered in private should remain private.
Quote from: crazy canuck on December 18, 2014, 05:07:18 PM
Raz,
Love poems delivered in private should remain private.
It wasn't a love poem. Well not a love for me. It was his passion for the navy and teaching and the valiant young men he meets in both. Not so much women though. I guess seamen and women don't mix well for Grumbler.
Quote from: Jacob on December 15, 2014, 11:56:59 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 15, 2014, 11:48:15 PMOn what basis do you judge their PR model is a failure, in that it offends your sensibilities? My guess is Uber's target market is people who, when given the choice of a pricey ride at a busy time or nobly waiting in for a non-existent base price taxi, opt for the former.
I base it as a failure based on their reaction to the public's response.
They used surge pricing during Hurricane Sandy and got serious backlash. Subsequently they instituted a US wide policy of no surge pricing during natural disasters.
In the case of Sydney, they later apologized, offered free rides in the area, and offered refunds to people who'd paid the increased pricing.
Now, I know you're notoriously hard to convince on this kind of stuff, but to me - and I believe to garbon as well - that indicates that the company thought they had a PR issue at hand and were attempting to address it.
Uber is currently facing some of the now usual issues on rolling out in Vancouver. Certainly the local people I've discussed their actions in Sydney with seem to put that down in the column against Uber, which makes me think it's not an isolated reaction.
Incidentally, I've not said anything about my sensibilities regarding this, nor, I believe about Uber in general, so it seems to me that you're reading positions into my words that aren't there. garbon is the one who's classified their actions as "that offensive".
In this case, I think the problem is with the people, not with the company's PR. Not tolerating price gouging makes you feel very good about yourself, but the people who are stranded by Sandy because there weren't enough Uber drivers attracted to get them out may feel a little less noble, and a little more wet. In my opinion, when sound economic practice that actually increases social welfare makes for bad PR, the problem is not with either the practice or the PR.
Quote from: DGuller on December 18, 2014, 07:55:25 PM
In this case, I think the problem is with the people, not with the company's PR. Not tolerating price gouging makes you feel very good about yourself, but the people who are stranded by Sandy because there weren't enough Uber drivers attracted to get them out may feel a little less noble, and a little more wet. In my opinion, when sound economic practice that actually increases social welfare makes for bad PR, the problem is not with either the practice or the PR.
I think that's how Uber has felt so far. "Our practice is economically and socially sound, and that's what our PR reflects. We can't go wrong there."
Quote from: Jacob on December 18, 2014, 08:02:46 PM
Quote from: DGuller on December 18, 2014, 07:55:25 PM
In this case, I think the problem is with the people, not with the company's PR. Not tolerating price gouging makes you feel very good about yourself, but the people who are stranded by Sandy because there weren't enough Uber drivers attracted to get them out may feel a little less noble, and a little more wet. In my opinion, when sound economic practice that actually increases social welfare makes for bad PR, the problem is not with either the practice or the PR.
I think that's how Uber has felt so far. "Our practice is economically and socially sound, and that's what our PR reflects. We can't go wrong there."
From the pragmatic perspective, you're right. If the majority of people are irrational, then in Uber's position you need to patronize their irrationality, whether you like it or not. However, I'm not going to be outraged about their failure to act pragmatically.
Quote from: DGuller on December 18, 2014, 08:29:25 PM
From the pragmatic perspective, you're right. If the majority of people are irrational, then in Uber's position you need to patronize their irrationality, whether you like it or not. However, I'm not going to be outraged about their failure to act pragmatically.
I don't think anyone in this thread is outraged. If I was an investor I'd be a little concerned, since it's looking like there's a pattern on the PR. If it's fixable, I'd want it fixed.
I don't think anybody other than garbon has used it, and he's already on record saying he doesn't have a problem with paying 7 times the cost in a snow storm.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 18, 2014, 08:39:39 PM
I don't think anybody other than garbon has used it, and he's already on record saying he doesn't have a problem with paying 7 times the cost in a snow storm.
He also seems to be the principle linker of Uber stories.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 18, 2014, 08:39:39 PM
I don't think anybody other than garbon has used it, and he's already on record saying he doesn't have a problem with paying 7 times the cost in a snow storm.
I haven't used Uber but I have used Lyft. I am on record saying that? :unsure:
Quote from: garbon on December 18, 2014, 09:55:18 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 18, 2014, 08:39:39 PM
I don't think anybody other than garbon has used it, and he's already on record saying he doesn't have a problem with paying 7 times the cost in a snow storm.
I haven't used Uber but I have used Lyft. I am on record saying that? :unsure:
Could've sworn you've used Uber before, my bad. Never heard of Lyft. Sounds stupid.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 18, 2014, 09:56:57 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 18, 2014, 09:55:18 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 18, 2014, 08:39:39 PM
I don't think anybody other than garbon has used it, and he's already on record saying he doesn't have a problem with paying 7 times the cost in a snow storm.
I haven't used Uber but I have used Lyft. I am on record saying that? :unsure:
Could've sworn you've used Uber before, my bad. Never heard of Lyft. Sounds stupid.
I tried to use it once and it told me I was banned. :D
Lyft mustaches are stupid but it basically a comparable service.
Quote from: garbon on December 18, 2014, 09:58:01 PM
I tried to use it once and it told me I was banned. :D
We still have so much work to do as a society. :weep:
Quote from: garbon on December 18, 2014, 09:58:01 PM
I tried to use it once and it told me I was banned. :D
:hmm: And Uber says they're not like a taxi service?
:(
In a story with quadruple the body count, but with a quarter of the international press coverage because a Muslim gooftard isn't apparently involved:
Quote8 children killed in Australia in reported mass stabbing
ight children have been killed and a woman injured, police said on Friday, during what several media outlets reported was a mass stabbing in Australia's tropical northern city of Cairns.
Australia is already in a state of heightened alert after police stormed a Sydney cafe early on Tuesday morning to end a 16-hour hostage standoff in which three people were killed, including the hostage-taker.
Queensland state police said in a statement they were called to a house in the Cairns suburb of Manoora just before midday after reports of a woman with serious injuries on the premises.
They found the bodies of the children, aged between 18 months and 15 years, when they were examining the location.
It was not immediately clear whether the children were from one family, what their relationship was to the injured woman, or whether the woman was involved in their deaths, police said.
The woman, aged 34, is receiving medical treatment for her injuries, police said, and is assisting them with their investigation.
While unrelated to the mass stabbing in Cairns, the Sydney siege has triggered an outpouring of grief, with shocked Australians laying thousands of bouquets of flowers at a makeshift shrine in a central city mall near the siege cafe.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called the events in Cairns "heartbreaking" and acknowledged that these were "trying days" for Australia.
"All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened. This is an unspeakable crime. Tonight, there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children," he said in a media release.
Police in Cairns urged calm.
"There is no need for the public to be concerned about this, other than it is a tragic, tragic event. The situation is well controlled at the moment and there shouldn't be any concerns for anyone else," Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar told reporters.
Specialist officers were being sent from Brisbane, the state capital, to assist with the investigation, Asnicar said. He stressed that information was still sparse and that the number of dead could rise or fall.
"I believe there is eight ... the scene has been locked down and that may go up or down," Asnicar said.
Australian media outlets reported that the neighborhood was predominantly inhabited by indigenous Aboriginal Australians, and was known by residents to have a high crime rate.
Reuters
There is a pretty clear lesson here, if you are about to go on a killing spree and want your 15 minutes of fame convert to Islam first.
It also helps to stage your event in the middle of downtown Sydney, rather than some small regional city nobody cares about.
Quote from: Caliga on December 19, 2014, 07:32:43 AM
It also helps to stage your event in the middle of downtown Sydney, rather than some small regional city nobody cares about.
I agree, Cairns, while having a great beach, is a shithole.
Yeah, I like Brisbane a lot better myself.
For the sake of accuracy, thread needs to be retitled:
The Terrorism At The Heart of Predatory Taxi Services.
Admiral Yi - I believe you like to see instances of Muslim groups and community leaders distancing themselves from terrorist assholes, so I think you'll appreciate this:
QuoteSydney's chief Islamic funeral director yesterday declared no Muslim funeral home would accept the body of terrorist Man Haron Monis and authorities should just dump his corpse at sea or "chuck him in the bloody shithouse".
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/just-dump-man-haron-monis-body-at-sea-muslim-leaders-say/story-fnl2dlu7-1227161221594?nk=a631fa964207b773450b902637d949e1
(warning, autoplay video with Australian accent)
Good for him.