TODAY’S MODERATOR: Clever Uber mind tricks

Ever wonder, when you're hailing an Uber, how the popular ride-sharing service works? The New York Times recently lifted the shade on the fairly secretive company, writing about some of the ways Uber tries to keep its drivers — all of whom are independent contractors, not on-staff employees — in the corral and under control.

A lot of the ideas have been cooked up by social scientists and phsychologists, and aim to basically trick drivers in to working longer hours. “To keep drivers on the road,” the Times reports, “the company has exploited some people’s tendency to set earnings goals — alerting them that they are ever so close to hitting a precious target when they try to log off.

COMMENTARY: Let’s hear it for governmental checks and balances.

“It has even concocted an algorithm similar to a Netflix feature that automatically loads the next program, which many experts believe encourages binge-watching. In Uber’s case, this means sending drivers their next fare opportunity before their current ride is even over. And most of this happens without giving off a whiff of coercion.”

Interesting. What’s the boss trying on you? Meanwhile, do you use Uber? Email rrollins@coxohio.com.

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