• ampersandrew@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Wasn’t the original usage talking about economies of scale potentially eliminating the need for things like owning a car, because things like Uber would be more efficient and cost effective?

      • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
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        7 months ago

        Yup, but of course everyone got greedy. Last time I used Uber I spent 70 dollars to go 4 miles. I learned my bus map immediately after that

        • ampersandrew@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          It was just an example, not a template, and it was more of an idealist projection of some better future based on where we were heading. You’re right that public transit is a far older invention that handles the job better in this case.

          • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
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            7 months ago

            oh agreed. You just made me chuckle because I remember the tech bros saying all of that back then, and how naiive I was for believing it.

      • [email protected]@sh.itjust.works
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        7 months ago

        Yes, from the WEF in particular. It’s such an inane idea that it drips with sarcasm even when sincere. They described a utility without any of the makings of a utility. I wish it hadn’t been adopted by right wingers and turned into a catchphrase.

        • ampersandrew@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          It’s also been adopted by left wingers into some kind of threat, when it wasn’t meant to serve that purpose either.

          • [email protected]@sh.itjust.works
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            7 months ago

            Left wingers as in hexbear or left wingers as in progressive voters? I haven’t heard it from either, but I’m rarely around anyone but the latter.

            • ampersandrew@lemmy.world
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              7 months ago

              The kind of person who’s disillusioned with capitalism. Take that to mean whatever you like, but they’ll still use that quote in the wrong context.