Justin St. James, a former gig worker for Uber, experienced both the initial appeal of fast earnings during the pandemic and the subsequent decline in demand by 2023. St. James started gig work after seeing a family member earn $500 in a week. He enjoyed the thrill of the work, likening the experience to gambling due to the 'ping' notifications for orders. However, as earnings dropped, he highlighted how complex algorithms kept workers engaged, raising concerns about sustainability and overall income for gig workers.
"You're working for it, not gambling. But when you've worked on a Tuesday and Wednesday and you get average orders, Friday and Saturday feels like a cash grab."
"In 2023, though, my earnings started falling, and demand wasn't what it was in 2022. One day, I took a ride through Lyft as a passenger..."
"Uber and other technology companies use algorithms that are very sophisticated. There are parts of these apps that keep us hooked on them..."
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