The Wonderful World of Gig Work: Where Your Side-Hustle Dreams Go to Die

Ah, gig work! The glorious realm where millions have opted for a life of Ubering, Instacarting, and other thrilling adventures in the gig economy—because nothing says “financial stability” quite like having your income depend on random strangers’ whims.

Over the past decade and a half, countless individuals have swapped the comfort of a 9-to-5 for the unpredictability of driving people around or delivering groceries. For some, it’s a delightful side-hustle; for others, it’s a primary source of income—like a financially-flammable game of Twister, where you’re always one bad turn away from losing it all.

And the gig economy is booming! It’s evolving like a Pokémon—now featuring exciting new forms of work, especially with Uber dabbling in AI training. Yes, robots might soon take over your gig work, reminding you that your skills might just be a step below a software program, complete with a snarky attitude.

However, like a plot twist in a mediocre movie, the expansion of gig work has brought along the agonizing side effect: plummeting pay rates. Many gig workers have reported this unfortunate reality to Business Insider, proclaiming, “We signed up to be our own boss, not to become the boss of our own budget crisis.”

Some gig workers, feeling the pinch, have resorted to using third-party apps that suggest the most lucrative rides and deliveries. However, in a plot befitting a bad sitcom, both Uber and Lyft have stated that this violates their sacred terms of service. Apparently, bringing logic into the equation is a no-go!

Then there’s the rebels, those who are tossing the established apps aside like yesterday’s takeout. Instead, they’re opting for upstart alternatives—like local cooperatives where ride-hailing drivers unite! Some ambitious souls have even decided to launch their own black-car services, presumably while wearing capes and calling themselves “Gig Heroes.”

But wait, there’s more! Enter stage left: self-driving cars by Tesla and Waymo, the latest threat to human gig workers. Some drivers are waiting on the edge of their seats—will these robot taxis actually transform our streets? Others ponder the real future: “Why not own a self-driving taxi? Might as well let the machines do the heavy lifting!”

Tune into the saga of gig work, where we’ve spoken with drivers, delivery workers, executives, and anyone else brave enough to navigate this rollercoaster. Read our latest episode in the ongoing drama of this bizarre gig economy—a space where the only certainty is uncertainty and where the hustle never truly dies, but merely gets an upgrade.

Got a tip? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Just make sure you’re using your personal email because, you know, anonymity is the new black!