tech
February 7, 2026
Waymo is trying to seduce me. But another option is staring us in the face
I understand the appeal of avoiding all human contact. Still, good old-fashioned taxis have so much to offer

TL;DR
- The Super Bowl weekend is a major test for Waymo's driverless taxi technology, with the company planning significant global expansion.
- The author found an unexpected sense of peace and efficiency in Waymo rides, appreciating the lack of human interaction and potential for awkward or negative encounters with drivers.
- Waymo's autonomous vehicles are presented as a solution to issues like passenger safety and driver misconduct prevalent in traditional rideshare services.
- The article raises concerns about the impact of automation on employment and the tech industry's focus on profit over broader societal well-being.
- A return to regulated traditional taxis, with unionized drivers and municipal oversight, is suggested as a viable and potentially more equitable alternative to driverless cars.
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