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> I think it comes from the fact that they want to be seen as "disruptive"

I think it comes from the fact that they need to be fast-moving. Uber is a global first-mover in a market largely defined by local network effects and economics. Not moving quickly risks being boxed in by a global proliferation of me-toos.

The requisite freewheeling aggression reminds me of my prior work environment, the trading floor. Both are high-power, high-pressure worlds. The steam they each produce is hot, and effective. But someone needs to keep a constant eye on keeping the lid from blowing off.

Uber seems to still be evolving this risk-management function. Their long-run success may come down to whether Kalanick can devolve a critical amount of power to someone who can say "no" to him when absolutely necessary, but no so frequently that it prematurely bleeds them into a shop of suits.




Does that strengthen my original point? Trading floors are also known to produce the occasional asshole.

I'm not trying to be snide. Is the asshole stereotype founded? Do you the think it's a consequence of (necessary) aggression?





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