I’d say about 30% of the time I take an Uber, I have an interesting conversation with the driver. The best instance of this was about a decade ago, when the driver was a guy from Syria, and he explained the ongoing civil war there and the various factions as we drove 45 minutes across LA.
Self-driving cars are just one more way everyone becomes isolated from each other, I guess.
Another 30% of the time, the driver is making calls to the DMV or spouting conspiracy theories during the drive. I enjoy talking to strangers casually when I can easily walk away, but I don't enjoy being forced to talk to strangers casually over a half hour ride.
Self-driving cars are just one more way everyone becomes isolated from each other, I guess.