9月8日,一篇关于外卖行业的文章突然火遍网络,很多一年发不了三条朋友圈的人都把这难得的“名额”给了它。 An article “Takeaway Rider, Stuck in the System” published by “People” magazine on its WeChat account went viral on the internet on Tuesday, causing a moment of national discussion about algorithmic harm to people.周二,《人物》杂志在其微信公众号发布的文章《外卖骑手,困在系统里》在网上刷屏,引发了关于“系统算法对人类危害”的讨论。 · 外卖骑手 takeaway rider· 微信公众号 WeChat account· 刷屏 go viral The article said that under fierce competition food delivery platforms have shortened delivery time for several times from 2016 to 2019. As a result, many drivers end up engaging in unsafe driving, such as running red lights or riding against traffic, putting themselves at greater risk of a traffic accident.文章讲到,由于竞争激烈,从2016-2019年间,外卖平台已经多次缩短外卖时间。其结果就是,很多骑手被迫上演各种危险驾驶行为,比如闯红灯或者逆行,使得自身发生交通事故的风险大大增加。 · 外卖平台 food delivery platform· 缩减外卖配送时间 shorten delivery time· 闯红灯 run red lights· 逆行 ride against traffic
An online comment said the article revealed the "bloody truth" and criticized the companies for "unsympathetic calculation".
网上有条评论是:这篇文章展示了外卖行业“血淋淋的现实”,也批判了平台“冷酷的算法机制”。
Another said "we shouldn't let deliverers be trapped in the algorithm" while another said Meituan and Ele.me should be "more humanized".另一条评论说:“我们不应该让外卖员被困在算法系统里”;还有网友认为美团和饿了么应该“更加人性化”。 · 外卖员 deliverer· 算法 algorithm· 美团 Meituan· 饿了么 Ele.me 网友普遍认为,正是由于平台一味追求自身利益最大化、不断依靠AI算法来“吞掉”配送时间,外卖员才不得不使出浑身解数“与死神赛跑,和交警较劲,和红灯做朋友”。 然而,面对大众的质疑,两大外卖平台美团和饿了么的反应,却不尽如人意。 而饿了么的声明,更是被人们认为是“鸡贼地”将矛盾转嫁给消费者。
8日下午六点左右,美团表示目前暂不对此做出回应,下周会举办一场小范围的外卖业务沟通会。 Ele.me said on the early morning of 9th that the “I’m willing to wait another 5 minutes/10 minutes” function will be launched as soon as possible. If you are not in a hurry when ordering takeout, you can press this button to give the rider more time.饿了么则在9日凌晨发布声明称,将尽快推出“我愿意多等5分钟/10分钟”功能,如果你点外卖时不太着急,就可以点这个按钮,给骑手更多时间。 · “我愿意多等5分钟/10分钟”功能 “I’m willing to wait another 5 minutes/10 minutes” function· 点外卖 order takeout· 点按钮 press the button 也许是怕和饿了么一样遭到狂喷,美团在9日晚发布声明,做出这样的表态: “Meituan dispatch system will leave 8 minutes of flexible time for food delivery workers to wait for delayed elevators and traffic while on their delivery route.”“美团调度系统将给骑手留出8分钟弹性时间,让他们等候延迟的电梯、在路口放慢一点速度。”