Cash Burning Machine: Uber’s Logic of Planetary Expansion

Abstract

Uber’s programme of planetary expansion rapidly captures users and integrates cities. Like other platforms, Uber privileges growth at all costs in order to spin up a set of self-reinforcing dynamics like virtuous cycles and network effects. However, drawing on Arrighi, Hobson, and Arendt, Uber can also be understood as a contemporary incarnation of imperialism. Platforms extend their territories in a programme of aggressive expansion rationalized by future financial gains. The article combines these self-perpetuating technical dynamics with the self-expanding logics of empire. Against the assumed brilliance of founders and the strategic innovation of start-ups, this framing highlights some of the uncontrolled forces and overarching imperatives that both invest and constrain platforms.

Data Perversion

“…91-108). Luke Munn's (2019) argument in relation to Uber illustrates this. He writes that Uber behaves like an imperial power that is primarily interested in growing its user base by conquering cities across the world.…”

“…He writes that Uber behaves like an imperial power that is primarily interested in growing its user base by conquering cities across the world. Profit is secondary, what matters is user growth (Munn, 2019). In our world, everything and everyone become datafied and part of data relations.…”

The uselessness of AI ethics

“…This is a culture known for the hypermasculine coder or "brogrammer," for using "booth babes" to attract attention at conventions, and for its celebrated company founders who regularly drop porn references [10]. One global ride-share company, renowned for its innovation and financial success, was long helmed by a man who penned a sex memo for a company celebration and who described his ability to pick up women as "boober" [50]. This type of activity, openly flaunted by some of the most worshiped companies and founders, has contributed to a highly misogynistic environment.…”

“…The dominant focus on (toothless) ethics is a boon to technology companies, who have long attempted to outrun or avoid legislation. Uber outpaced regulation by expanding rapidly into cities across the globe with a business model designed to bypass labor responsibilities and protections [50]. Similarly, Airbnb swiftly expanded worldwide, running for years in major centers before eventually confronting regulation around house rental and hotels.…”

Gig- og plattformøkonomien i den norske arbeidslivsmodellen – forutsetninger og konsekvenser. En casestudie av Uber Black i Oslo

“…går de i virkeligheten nesten aldri med overskudd, men holdes i gang av store, langsiktige investeringer fra private investeringsselskaper som lar dem drive på tross av tap (Rahman & Thelen 2019). Uber, for eksempel, som i august 2018 var verdsatt til 120 milliarder dollar, var privateid fram til selskapet ble børsnotert våren 2019 og fikk i denne perioden investeringer på flere titalls milliarder dollar, men har aldri gått med overskudd (Munn 2019). Etter at Uber ble børsnotert har aksjen har sunket med over 30 prosent (E24 2019).…”