I want to hate Waymo but can’t
How our woke columnist realized they cannot stop taking robo-taxis that go against their principled beef with the Bay Area tech industry.
By T. Von D.
When the first self-driving cars hit the San Francisco streets, I felt immediately suspicious. I feared the likelihood of being put into a dangerous situation was too high, and I didn’t even want to walk in front of them as a pedestrian. Many shared my concerns.
But word of mouth is a powerful advertiser, and it wasn’t long before my friend shoved me in the back of one. We went that night to Twisters 4DX, and I told myself there’s logic in trying newer technologies the same night. To cap it off, we squeezed in a preview of Apple Vision Pro goggles.
Getting into a Waymo felt a little embarrassing at first. It signaled to people around me that I’m embracing the Tech Future, and that doesn’t mesh well with the reality of who I am. Given this, I want to say my friend literally shoved me into the car for cinematic effect, but we all politely glided into one at the curb of an Outer Sunset avenue. It helped that this was a peaceful SF burb; No traffic present to honk as Waymo arrived, and I could stand outside without some obvious sketch factors like I’d find in downtown SF.
The LED panel atop Satan’s chariot displayed my friend’s initials in a pretty lavender — this car was for us. He encouraged me to take the back seat, then pushed a button to pop open the door handles. In general I think this feature makes getting someone out of a car in an emergency situation more difficult.
The Waymo fleet was trained by a cohort of real human drivers who crisscrossed the city for several months, often late at night. The first time I saw one, I assumed it was a Google Street View car — but once I saw one without a driver in the front seat, I felt that there were man-made horrors beyond my comprehension.
This Waymo did feel like a human was at the wheel, even the way it took a turn too quickly or scraped a curb. The first ride went perfectly except in the parking lot. Poor car couldn’t figure out how to navigate around others, then later in the night picking us up, hilariously, it got stuck behind another Waymo and couldn’t drive around it in an empty parking lot. I felt impressed but also vindicated; Waymo probably wouldn’t kill me but also wasn’t smarter than human drivers.
I rode again not long afterward for science — just kidding, I was drunk. This time in SoMa the sketch factor was higher, so I was displeased the robocar stopped somewhere nearby instead of right in front of SF Oasis. I preferred an empty vehicle though because I was feeling barfy, and even though you can’t throw up anywhere, it’s easier to manage that alone than worrying your Lyft driver you’re going to mess up their car.
So far Waymo has only pulled up to empty curbs, but what if there were some unrelated altercation happening right where it pulled up? Such as a building fire, a violent crime, a police barricade or an individual in crisis? Do I step over bodies to get in my car?
Whatever — I threw myself inside and immediately stretched out across the backseat. The car is very strict about buckling but it did allow me to lay down so long as safety came first. Good thing too because I almost tossed my cookies; My nausea tempted me to use the “Pull Over” button, but I was more focused on breathing in cold air from the window.
Having now taken a Waymo several times I can say that most of my fears around its ability to drive have been quieted. But as I sat in the back seat of that silent, self-driving vehicle, a small part of me felt like I was giving in — contributing to a future that I’m not entirely on board with. And there are pressing concerns that linger even though they’re not strong enough to stop me from riding in one:
I still believe an accident during a Waymo ride would be extra terrifying. A more abstract paranoia is the idea that the car can be taken over remotely against my will, either by the authorities or a hacker. The idea of it driving me across the bridge or on a cliff road also still freaks me out.
So I want to say I won’t become a regular Waymo rider, but it feels inevitable. On nights when I’m too tired, tipsy, or just looking for the quiet solitude of an automated ride, I might find myself pulling up the app again. There’s a comfort in knowing that the car will follow all the rules, even if it sometimes fumbles in a parking lot or gets confused by another robot on the road.
How we get anywhere isn’t just about getting from point A to point B anymore; It’s about the quiet internal negotiations we make with ourselves about the future we’re buying into. And for now, Waymo is alright by me.
T. Von D. is a local museum worker and lesbian.
The Bold Italic publishes first-person stories on topics that are on the brains and lips of San Franciscans. We’re a hub for conversations to be heard and discussed, and we celebrate all that’s great about living in San Francisco and the Bay Area. We hope our continuing conversation will get you thinking, talking, and inspiring you to share your opinions with us on living in San Francisco.
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What we’re doing this week
The Great Hauntway
The Great Hauntway is a large annual Halloween event in San Francisco, offering over a mile of car-free trick-or-treating along the scenic Upper Great Highway. This family-friendly celebration features activities like pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, live music, and safe treat options for kids with allergies. First held in 2021, it has quickly become a beloved community event, attracting thousands of attendees each year. It emphasizes safety, inclusivity, and fun in a coastal setting.
WHEN: October 27, 2024, 1 PM - 4 PM
WHERE: Upper Great Highway, between Judah and Taraval Streets
Oh and we saw this adorable way to arrive:
Dia de los Muertos — Festival of Altars
There are many ways to celebrate Day of the Dead, a more emotional yet equally colorful holiday that follows Halloween. The Festival of Altars features traditional altars where attendees can honor their ancestors by bringing offerings such as flowers, photos, and candles. The event fosters a sense of community through remembrance, with a sacred Ritual Circle at 5 PM. There’s typically a processional / group walk sometime that evening, too in Mission.
WHEN: November 2nd, Installation begins at 8am. Ceremony begins at 12pm. Performances begins at 5pm.
WHERE: Potrero del Sol Park, 1500 Utah Street, San Francisco, CA
You might also check out the Poet’s Murmuration at the Exploratorium the same evening.
Dia de los Muertos — SF Symphony
We did this one last year and loved it, you can see our reel on the experience. It’s a lovely day with family activities and performances at SF Symphony. Their dinner is sold out! But it’s buko $$ anyway. We’ll be there in an elaborate floral getup for the concert and reception. Join us, would you?
The 2024 program includes works by renowned composers like Carlos Chávez and Gabriela Ortiz, along with a visual experience of festive art installations and altars in the lobby, curated by local artists. This family-friendly event is preceded by activities and followed by a lively post-concert reception as part of the day’s cultural festivities.
WHEN: November 2, 2024, 3 PM
WHERE: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Dance-o-Ween
Get ready for Dance-o-Ween, the ultimate spooky dance party in San Francisco's Mission District! On Halloween night, join a crew of costumed revelers and mobile DJs as you dance your way through the neighborhood. Expect thrilling beats, new and familiar faces, and a few spooky surprises along the way. Costumes are a must, and the night kicks off at the 16th Street BART station at 7:30 PM. The dancing will end at Mission St. Playground, making for an unforgettable Halloween celebration full of fun, music, and community vibes.
WHEN: October 31, 2024, 7:30 PM
WHERE: Meet at 16th St. BART Station, San Francisco, CA, ending at Mission St. Playground.
It looks very loosely organized this year, we spotted it from this Youtube video. But yes it’s happening in 2024.
Moar Halloween
In case you missed our guide on Halloween, now’s your chance to catch up.
WHEN: Mainly Oct. 26 and 27, and more events on Oct. 31 throughout the day on all days
WHERE: All over SF, check our guide
Fashion Festival “Exotica”
The San Francisco Fashion Festival 2024, themed "Exotica," will take place on November 2nd at the Beacon Grand Hotel. This event celebrates the diversity of global fashion with a mix of designer runway shows, artist showcases, and luxury shopping. Highlights include a VIP reception, live tango performance, and a panel moderated by a celebrity guest, followed by ready-to-wear and haute couture fashion shows. The evening concludes with an after-party at the Starlite Lounge, offering an unforgettable night of fashion, culture, and entertainment.
Listen please heed our warning here. We like the event but the panel talks go on forever; We were told by organizers that the runways won’t take place until 7 p.m. Recommended arrival then is in the 6 p.m. hour.
WHEN: November 2, 2024, 4 PM - 9 PM
WHERE: Beacon Grand Hotel, 450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
Thank you for the shoutout! We look forward to hosting you this 2025 Season :)