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33% Positive

Analyzed from 228 words in the discussion.

Trending Topics

#pricing#based#algorithms#etc#surge#solution#data#power#equal#giving

Discussion (18 Comments)Read Original on HackerNews

teeray•about 1 hour ago
It would be abhorrent to let humans change the prices of goods and services based on the color of your skin, age, gender, religion, etc. However, if a computer does it, that’s apparently just fine.
2009mobile•about 2 hours ago
The article describes Uber's surge pricing as a form of surveillance pricing, but this is misleading. The primary purpose of surge pricing isn't to maximize profit, it's to increase supply. Dynamic pricing in a 2-sided network is different than in retailing.
throwaway85825•19 minutes ago
The solution to such information asymmetry is to mandate disclosure of all algorithms and data used in setting the price.
Refreeze5224•3 minutes ago
That won't work. The issue is a fundamental power imbalance being exploited by the seller. An individual will never have the time, money, or energy to be on an equal footing with companies that do this. So giving people a bunch of algorithms and data does nothing. It's just like giving people EULAs and pretending that because they have the stated terms, it somehow makes them an equal party. The solution is to ban situations where these power imbalances exist. Too bad capitalism is inherently based on them....
NDlurker•about 2 hours ago
This is really making me consider going back to all cash and local purchases. Maybe prepaid debit cards and a PO box for when I need to order something online.
neeeeeeal•about 2 hours ago
Based on the title, I assumed this would be about how the consumer could grasp and then counter-utilize the pricing differences these algorithms produce.

For example, understanding that you are being “targeted” by these algorithm for premium extraction and taking measures such as spinning up VPNs, clearing cache/history, etc to save the consumer from overpaying.

Seems like a good market for such a product would exist…

bestouff•about 2 hours ago
This can't happen in EU. Thanks again.
inetknght•about 2 hours ago
"Can't"?
abrownbear•22 minutes ago
Dope piece.