Freakonomics Radio 381. Long-Term Thinking in a Start-Up Town
Jun 13, 2019
John Zimmer, co-founder and president of Lyft, shares the fascinating story behind the rise of ride-sharing and the challenges the company faces in a competitive landscape. Meanwhile, Philip Hammack, a psychology professor and founder of Fog City Pack, dives into the intriguing world of puppy play and its connection to evolving sexual identities. The discussion also highlights the importance of long-term thinking and explores groundbreaking concepts in male contraception, sustainability, and behavior change.
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Lyft Origin
- Lyft co-founder Logan Green was bothered by L.A. traffic and sought solutions.
- He created Zimride, a carpooling network inspired by ride-sharing in Zimbabwe.
Path to Profitability
- Ride-sharing is profitable in many markets, but overhead costs create losses.
- Increased rides and lower variable costs, like insurance, are key to profitability.
Autonomous Vehicle Strategy
- Autonomous vehicle development focuses on perfecting one trip type at a time.
- Lyft aims for 100% autonomous safety for a fixed route before expanding to all trip types.