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[–] SiWofos 0 points 13 points (+13|-0) ago 

I wouldn't be so dismissive: London cab drivers must learn routes all over the city during 34 months of training, and then must pass a series of tests. They have a very specialized skill, the constant practice of which (as I said above) actually alters their brain structure.

However, all this skill and training are now practically worthless in the face of GPS. That represents a tough transition for the old-school drivers. The cheaper fares of uber come at a cost of replacing these well trained, skilled, highly paid people by lower-paid but better-equipped drivers with smart phones.

Making people poorer for the sake of cheap things for everyone is something that I feel uneasy about, despite it being the accepted path of "progress".

By the way, did you watch the video I linked (Humans Need Not Apply)? It articulates very well the point I'm trying to make.

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[–] Ragnar1234 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I stand corrected about the lengthy training London cab drivers have. One of my friends used to drive for yellow cab and he trained new drivers. There was no rigorous standard and the majority of his trainees didn't speak any English. His experience skewed my opinion of the quality of cabbies

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[–] LagAmplifier 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I've never been to London, but i hear the black cab drivers there are very good. But sadly they are in the minority. Most cab drivers I've ever had are sleazy and seem like they are always trying to rip me off.

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[–] SiWofos 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

They are good, and they are losing to technology/uber.

I also agree that many taxi drivers in the world are pretty awful.

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[–] refugee610 ago 

I would say that London Black Cab drivers are also unique in the cabbie world. AFAIK they're the only ones who actually have to have that level of knowledge to be a cabbie.