Interesting post. I can't help but wonder what does any engineer actually do, in these companies. Aren't those solved problems?

One thing is for sure, Uber's business model is predatory. That's not up for debate, as if you break down costs mathematically, it works out under minimum wage in most scenarios.

The assumption people are good at optimizing their income is provably out of touch. Exhibit A: the lottery.

If you ask any number of drivers, even Uber drivers, how much a ride costs them, they might reason in terms of gas. A minority of them will consider normal depreciating costs of using a motor vehicle. Of those few that do, they will tell you they enjoy the experience of driving people around or what have you.

The sharing economy as a whole is really transfer of wealth from the uneducated to the educated. The more abstract the cost is, the easier it is to steal from vulnerable populations (or more accurately, persuade them to willingly get robbed!)