Comments on: The other sort of hacking: Baltimore’s ghost taxis http://futurismic.com/2009/11/10/the-other-sort-of-hacking-baltimores-ghost-taxis/ Presenting the fact and fiction of tomorrow since 2001 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rick York http://futurismic.com/2009/11/10/the-other-sort-of-hacking-baltimores-ghost-taxis/comment-page-1/#comment-53779 Rick York Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:28:59 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=9516#comment-53779 I think this whole "hacking" thing in the US started first in New York in the late 60's and 70's. During this period the medallioned or yellow cabs in the city were refusing to take people "dangerous" - read black or Hispanic - neighborhoods. So called "gypsy" cabs started to arise which would carry people to and from these neighborhoods. The NYC taxi policy is one of the more bizarre government efforts in the country. The number of medallion cabs has been little changed since the 1930's. In response to the gypsy cab phenomenon, the Taxi and Limousine Commission created some new categories. I'll leave to to the readers to research that arcane literature. The phenomenon of hacks has probably existed since the first urban wheeled vehicles developed. I think this whole “hacking” thing in the US started first in New York in the late 60′s and 70′s. During this period the medallioned or yellow cabs in the city were refusing to take people “dangerous” – read black or Hispanic – neighborhoods. So called “gypsy” cabs started to arise which would carry people to and from these neighborhoods.

The NYC taxi policy is one of the more bizarre government efforts in the country. The number of medallion cabs has been little changed since the 1930′s. In response to the gypsy cab phenomenon, the Taxi and Limousine Commission created some new categories. I’ll leave to to the readers to research that arcane literature.

The phenomenon of hacks has probably existed since the first urban wheeled vehicles developed.

]]> By: Chad http://futurismic.com/2009/11/10/the-other-sort-of-hacking-baltimores-ghost-taxis/comment-page-1/#comment-53717 Chad Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:19:25 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=9516#comment-53717 Hacks are all over. Pittsburgh has a ton, as the city artificially limits the number of cabs. A hack is better than driving home drunk (which the city almost forces people to do). It's nice to live in a city with a ton of cabs (DC). Hacks are all over. Pittsburgh has a ton, as the city artificially limits the number of cabs. A hack is better than driving home drunk (which the city almost forces people to do). It’s nice to live in a city with a ton of cabs (DC).

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