The Fractalisation of Work
To understand how the fractalisation of work (doesn’t) work - consider ‘the taxi’, the definition of which is in the process of being redefined as a personalised vehicle that will take you for a to b.
That continues - BUT … it also used to be a place for …
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Human conversation - spontaneously - about local gossip, life advice, or even silence. And all without algorithmsmonitoring sentiment.
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A helping hand, someone who’d load your luggage, not because it was required, but because that’s what people do.
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Navigation expertise by someone who knows the backstreets better than GPS, and magically avoid traffic lines.
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The ‘welcome committee’, offering recommendations for where to eat, what to avoid, and how to make the most of your stay.
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An interpreter or cultural guide, especially in unfamiliar cities or countries, bridging gaps in language and local norms.
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A protector that waited until you got safely inside your home or hotel before driving off.
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A confidant that listens to everything from your job woes to relationship breakdowns .. no subscription required.
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A fixture of community memory in the form of a driver who knew your parents, remembered your last trip and asked after your kids.
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A micro-economy participant, in that they often owned their vehicle, had real agency over hours, routes, pricing, and long-term plans and what they earned was part of the local economy where they plied their trade - no profits siphon off and extracted to the banks of the ride share company.
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A professional, who knows that the job isn’t just driving, but care, awareness, and service - all wrapped in experience.