Amerika

Rent-your-shack “gig economy” dot-com Airbnb has decided to go the way of conformity rather than independence and require its members to adhere to a totalitarian standard that prohibits them from refusing a renter for any reason if that renter is also a member of a protected group:

What is the Community Commitment?

You commit to treat everyone—regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age—with respect, and without judgment or bias.

How do I accept the commitment?

On or after November 1, we’ll show you the commitment when you log in to or open the Airbnb website, mobile or tablet app and we’ll automatically ask you to accept.

What if I decline the commitment?

If you decline the commitment, you won’t be able to host or book using Airbnb, and you have the option to cancel your account. Once your account is canceled, future booked trips will be canceled. You will still be able to browse Airbnb but you won’t be able to book any reservations or host any guests.

The problem with this is obvious. A 400-lb transsexual wants to rent from you, but xzhir bulk, bad hygiene, criminal record and slovenly behavior are a deterrent. You reject xzhes application, and xzhe files a complaint. Airbnb then removes you from its roster to avoid controversy.

In this way, all good things are ruined. Our favor of the underdog makes us blind to the other attributes of the individual that are non-political, and often more important, in addition to using the free markets to force ideological conformity on people regarding their own property.

Tags: airbnb, discrimination, disparate impact