Stratechery Robotaxis and Suburbia
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Nov 18, 2025 Explore the charm of suburbia as one host contrasts his experiences in Taipei and Madison. Delve into Uber's transformation from struggling startup to a profitable giant and its role in creating a larger market. Learn about Tesla's Full Self-Driving tech and its mixed benefits. Discover how Amazon's purchase of Zoox ties into instant delivery ambitions and the future of robo-taxis. The discussion raises intriguing questions about technology potentially reshaping suburbia and reversing urbanization trends.
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From Downtown Condo To Suburban Home
- Ben Thompson moved from downtown Madison to a suburban house after COVID changed his preferences and driving increased.
- He found suburban life pleasant and appreciated space after years of condo living.
Uber Created A New Transportation Market
- Uber transformed transportation by creating a new, larger market rather than just digitizing taxis.
- Controversial critics focused on subsidies while missing scale and network effects that expanded demand.
Using Tesla Full Self-Driving Supervised
- Thompson describes using Tesla Full Self-Driving (supervised) in his wife's car and his mixed reactions to its performance.
- He calls it the "best worst driver" and praises its handling while lamenting lack of foresight and the forced supervision requirement.