Given the choice between a world without AirBnB and a few emails to Craigslist users about a better service, most rational people would vote for AirBnB to exist. The ends do justify the means. Just be sure your ends are defensible, and be prepared for blowback if you get too many people clutching their pearls in feigned outrage.
Because AirBnB have cured cancer? Or was it prevented genocide? Or something, like, worthwhile?
Most rational people don't give a flying toss whether Airbnb existed.
It's pretty obvious the ends did not justify the means. They're a reservations website, wake up, sniff reality and stop drinking the koolaid. Is it ok the aggravation they've caused to small business owners and the total lying. And that's ok because they did a few cereal packets once? Because they're 'naughty'?
I won't defend their marketing practices, but I don't give a flying toss if they've made it harder for small businesses. The market changes, old businesses die and new ones are formed. Or are you one of the people who think we should subsidize old businesses so we don't "lose jobs" or whatever?
As for rational people caring wither Airbnb existed, I'm pretty rational and I think it's great. They've enabled a lot of microbusinesses. People who have a spare room can rent it out and make some extra cash. It allows people to travel more, and still make rent. It allows people to rent out space in tough times to make extra cash. It allows people to find cheap places to stay when they can't afford a hotel room.
I think it's done a lot of good. I'm confused where your negativity is directed. Are you just angry at them for spamming Craigslist?
Wow, lots of hate in this thread. I rented a yacht overnight for valentines day for like $200 on AirBnB and my girlfriend was floored. AirBnB actually is changing how I think about travel, and even "just doing something special".
They are a very innovative company, and I for one would vote for them to exist if it were up to me.
It seems to me that sort of attitude leads to spam and "Tragedy of the commons" scenarios.
If everyone who thought they had "a better service" and were thus justified to send "a few emails to Craigslist users" the utility of Craigslist would be negatively impacted.
On that basis I would think the "rational person" might not find that sort of behaviour acceptable and would vote to preserve the resource.
I think you're thinking about this wrong. It's not "right because its justified" it's excusable because it's minor in the scheme of things.
Imagine everyone is working really long hours for a couple of weeks to get something important done. You don't make it to the gym, miss a yoga class, get less sleep etc., eat junk food and get irritable. You're unpleasant and insulting to some people for a few days.
Is that good? No and it should and can be avoided even if you're working long hours. If everyone did it all the time work would suck. But.. we excuse a certain amount of this if it is minor enough, if it is out of character and if it is understandable in some way.
BTW, I'm not trying to express an opinion here, just clarify what I think is a common position.
Interestingly, you can hold this position and still speak out against it. Stretching my analogy: If Joanne is being a bitch and you don't know her well you can talk about her behind her back. If you're usually cool you can tell her to get her cranky ass to yoga and watch the fucking lip.
It's not that it isn't wrong or bad. It's just a question of thinking about it socially (the way people, though not necessarily the people of this site, are built to operate) rather than judicially/bureaucratically. Socially we take into account grey area, degrees, mitigating circumstances, and sometimes the voluptuousness of Joanne's buxom. We don't even have to be 100% consistent.
We the people (HN readers, Airbnb sleepers, etc) are not Interpol, we are humans. We don't always have to be completely objective and consistent when deciding how to feel about something.
People on this site are smart, but I do have a lot of forehead smack moments when being people becomes such a struggle for some.
I think life is very much like a prisoner's dilemma. Yes, it would suck if everyone did it, but since not everyone does.. you might as well do it for your own personal gain.
