Uber Drivers Protest Self-Driving Cars

Uber, which supplanted the common taxi with its ability to offer a better service, is now in danger of itself being replaced by self-driving cars. Earlier today, a large number of Uber drivers switched off the app and took to the streets, demonstrating what they claim is anti-competitive behaviour by self-driving car manufacturers.

Self-driving cars have become a popular and effective way for people to get around. Recently, a new company called Move Me has launched an app which allows people to order the self driving car to a waiting passenger.

The automated service eliminates many of the problems with Uber, specifically the tedious conversations, a requirement for ratings of both driver and passenger (which caused for too many fake smiles.) and the overly earnest selfies that people had to take in order to simply be part of the Uber “community”.

The protests are similar to that of taxi drivers when Uber first came on to the scene, and similarly those very protests by taxi drivers were similar to protests held by horses in 1914, when the Ford Motor Company rolled out its first vehicles. Ocean liners protested the arrival of passenger planes at one point as well. 

Indeed, according to ancient historians, the above mentioned protests are also remarkably similar to a protest held by slaves thousands of years ago, after the services they provided (carrying and pulling people around) were supplanted after the domestication and taming of horses.

A 135 year old man we interviewed for this story had some interesting opinions to share with us, given he had seen so many transport revolutions:

“Having seen the car replace the horse, Uber replace the taxi and now this… all I have to say is…”

He passed away half way through his sentence, given that he’s 135.

Analysts have warned that soon enough self-driving cars will begin protesting due to the emergence of teleportation technology.