Don't forget the whole dodging regulations thing. This aspect of the "sharing" economy I find the most disgusting.

Ethics goes out of the window in the pursuit of profit.

BS. The "ethics" went out the window when the taxi cartels captured the regulators in the first place.

Don't want people to play a crooked game? Don't set one up.

That's a shortsighted view. Similar to saying that the Airplane cartel captured the regulators and are preventing indie airlines from starting up...

Regulations exist for many reasons, not all are designed to act as a barrier for new entrants. Consumer safety springs to mind...

Have to agree to disagree on this one. Comparing taxi medallions to the FAR is enough of a stretch that I don't see a further basis for discussion.

Yes the comparison is ridiculous, but so is your complete dismissal of taxi regulations. If you can't see that, then I agree that there is no further basis for discussion.

Plus acknowledging that regulations do provide some benefit is reasonable. Regulations ensure that: * Taxis are regularly maintained * Pricing is standardized, transparent, with rules to prevent gouging during "surge" periods * Background checks for drivers * Drivers are qualified (have to pass various tests to get licensed)

On a more philosophical level, I think taxis serve a public utility function, similar to busses and subways. In this sense, some government oversight makes sense.

I think most of the criticism of uber are valid... but the status quo they're working against (taxis and drunk driving) have enough downsides that I don't think the ethical calculus around their business practices is simple.

This is the point you're missing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window