From [Invisible Women](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419729071/?tag=strugwithfait-20):

> Zero-hour contracts, short-term contracts, employment through an agency, these have all been enticingly rebranded the ‘gig economy’ by Silicon Valley, as if they are of benefit to workers. But the gig economy is in fact often no more than a way for employers to get around basic employee rights. Casual contracts create a vicious cycle: the rights are weaker to begin with, which makes workers reticent to fight for the ones they _do_ still have. Page 132

The more I read about typical Silicon Valley companies and their practices, the less I want to have to do with any of them. Where 12 months ago I wanted Uber or Lyft in BC, now I’d say let’s invest more in public transit instead.

Earlier in Invisible Women they showed that most public transit is set up to cater to the typical male “working” commute instead of the commutes of women that are more often making more stops that aren’t in the city centre of work.

That leaves women and care givers stuck with Uber, which is way more expensive than public transit. With the gender pay gap, we’re saying that those with the least access to cars (also overwhelmingly women) should pay more to be mobile in our cities. Women are also more likely to be part of the gig economy or part-time, so they have less access to capital. They spend more if it to be mobile than a higher paid full-time male employee.

We have some serious problems around here.