The Vergecast Can you build a company like Uber without being a jerk?
Sep 9, 2019
Mike Isaac, a New York Times reporter and author of 'Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber,' dives into the chaotic journey of Uber. He examines its tumultuous rise and the ethical quagmires faced along the way. The conversation touches on Uber's complicated dynamics with tech giants like Apple and Google, as well as the implications of founder power in the tech industry. Isaac also confronts the question of whether one must be a 'jerk' to innovate, sparking a thoughtful dialogue on ambition and accountability in business.
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Disruption and Jerks
- Uber's aggressive approach, while controversial, disrupted the taxi industry and created a service many find valuable.
- This raises the question of whether such disruption requires a "jerk" founder.
Susan Fowler's Impact
- Susan Fowler's blog post about harassment at Uber was a turning point.
- It exposed Uber's toxic culture and contributed to a broader reckoning in the tech industry.
Founder Control
- Despite building protections to maintain control, Travis Kalanick was ultimately ousted from Uber.
- This demonstrates that even with safeguards, founders can lose power.
