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XX Designs @67Designs on x 4119 followers
Created: 2025-07-23 11:51:56 UTC
The Ride-Share Illusion: Why Uber-Style OnDemand Services Are Killing American Manufacturing
Picture this: You’re hailing a ride on Uber.
Quick tap on your phone, and boom—a car shows up. But let’s be real…
X. Do you actually know your driver? — Nah, they’re basically faceless on the app.
X. Do you care about them? — Probably not beyond a polite “thanks” at drop-off.
X. Will you ever cross paths again? — Unlikely—it’s a one-and-done ride.
X. Do you worry if they’re profiting or barely scraping by on your fare? — Come on, as long as you’re zooming to your destination on time and cheap, who has the bandwidth?
Now, flip the script to manufacturing marketplaces like Xometry, where companies outsource part production globally. An El Paso, USA machine shop vs a Shenzhen, China machine shop.
It’s the same cold, transactional vibe, but with massive stakes for American skilled jobs, IP and rewarding innovation:
A. Do you know who machined your custom widgets? — Spoiler: It’s some anonymous shop in a sea of bids.
B. Do you give a damn about the machinist or their SMB business hustle? — Doubt it—efficiency over empathy, right?
C. Will you team up with the same shop next time? — Why bother when the algorithm spits out the cheapest option every round?
D. Do you lose sleep over whether they’re turning a profit or taking a hit on your order? — Heck no—as long as those parts land on your doorstep at rock-bottom prices, mission accomplished!
But here’s the wake-up call:
These “marketplaces” aren’t just convenient— they’re super toxic for American manufacturing.
They squeeze suppliers dry, market place 35%, create loyalty, stifle long-term growth, and turn skilled craftspeople into disposable gig workers as if they just landed from Mogadishu.
It’s time to rethink or just give-up:
Do we want a thriving industry built on relationships and fair economics, or a race to the bottom that leaves everyone stranded and our American innovations and IP all around the world?
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Related Topics rideshare $uber stocks technology