Uber: The View from the East Coast

On 23 February, The New York Times front-paged an article highlighting the unrestrained office culture of the San Francisco-based Uber, including cutthroat competition and uninhibited parties. The tone of the article is such that one wonders whether this was in part an article inspired by Uber's enemies. But this is simply a random speculation.

For reasons that do not require an elaboration, I have spent a great deal of time over the past three months using Uber as a means of transportation. I would describe Uber as the hidden success story in the American integration of immigrants.

Uber drivers are uniformly friendly, helpful and conversational. One might say the antithesis of the taxi culture. Most are young third worlders and live in the (to say the least) modest suburbs around Boston. Nearly all are U.S. citizens and happy to be here.  It has made me feel cheerier about the United States than anything else in the recent past.

Statements and views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author and do not imply endorsement by Harvard University, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.