Achievement Unlocked: Permanently Banned From r/waymo
I have long been excited at the idea of self-driving cars, because they should make the roads a lot safer. I have had the chance to ride Waymos and I think they are pretty great. I have been following the r/waymo subreddit. Lots of discussion about new rollouts, and videos of the robotaxis avoiding tragic situations. Lots of Good News.
I am not one to set cars on fire. But you may have heard that Los Angeles has been fighting against the Trump Regime this past weekend. Along the way, some Waymos got torched. The subreddit has been spammed with burning cars. Someone posted “why oh why would someone torch a poor little waymo car they are totally innocent and have nothing to do with ice” so I take the bait.
[Why?] Trump administration is sponsored by Google. Waymo is owned by Google. Waymo is an instrument of the Fascist State.
For me, pictures are worth a lot of words. Since they appeared front row at the inauguration, Amazon, Whole Foods, and Google are on my “avoid” list, though I still check on the swamp that is Facebook to keep up with the dwindling handful of friends there. I’ve made an exception so far for Waymo, as it is novel and potentially very good. People want to see through the shades of grey for a world of black and white, but every day we make choices. Waymo is good because it can reduce traffic deaths, and Waymo’s corporate parent is a sponsor of the growing horrors of the Trump Regime. Enjoy the ride, but don’t even feign shock that folks are willing to torch a few Waymos.
Of course, I got a message from Reddit.
“Hello, You have been permanently banned from participating in r/waymo because your comment violates this community’s rules.”
Rules, you say?
r/waymo rules: no luddites, no trolls
“No people who provoke … on purpose.” That’s me. Being provocative. Calling out bullshit. “I wouldn’t ever want to join a club that would have me as a member.” I take this penalty as a badge of honor.
In closing: Fuck ICE and Fuck Complicit Tech Companies. We all need to be feeling at least a little bit uncomfortable.
