&gt; I&#x27;m totally fine with pretty much any voluntary agreement between individuals.<p>This sounds like a very naive position ignoring dynamics of power. Indentured labour was also the result of a &quot;voluntary agreement between individuals&quot;. See also the working conditions of migrant workers in the Gulf states - again the result of &quot;voluntary agreement between individuals&quot;.<p>&gt; raising prices is the utility-maximizing choice (across riders, drivers, and Uber)<p>Only across riders who can afford the surge price. It&#x27;s the utility-minimizing choice for the rest.