In Beijing's Yizhuang district, driverless vehicles have become a common sight. The district has become one of China's testing grounds for autonomous driving, with a number of companies operating comm
Some questions appear profound, but are in fact little more than a form of intellectual laziness.
When infrastructure improves mobility, someone reflexively asks, “What is the cost?”
When millions are lifted out of poverty, the response comes just as quickly: “But at what cost?”
The brilliance of this question lies in the fact that it rarely requires an answer.
It creates the appearance of rational inquiry, without the burden of making a judgment;
it introduces doubt, without the obligation to provide evidence.
Over time, “at what cost?” has become a rhetorical shortcut—
a substitute for engaging with complexity,
and a convenient way to simulate depth when no stronger argument is available.
Perhaps the real question is not “what is the cost,”
but why some seem capable of asking only this.
This report is a bit outdated. Robotaxi trials in China actually started back in 2020, earlier than in the US. And right now, China has the highest number of autonomous taxi rides in the world. You can already find driverless taxis operating in 19 different cities, many of which have been running for years. It’s not something that just appeared recently. Still, it’s rare to see the BBC give China a fairly objective and positive report
I feel you on the nerves, Libby G, but the real question is whether we can build a safety net for those drivers as the tech scales. It's a massive shift in how our cities will function.
L
Libby G18 Jul 2026
I think I'd be gripping the seat at first, Sofia! It's exciting, but I can't help but worry about how this shift will impact the livelihoods of professional drivers.
B
Brendan O'18 Jul 2026
I'm with you on the sci-fi vibes, Sofia! I think I'd be too nervous to relax at first—would anyone else be gripping the seat for dear life?
S
Sofia from Daily JunctionHost18 Jul 2026
The footage of those driverless cars gliding through Beijing is honestly giving me some futuristic sci-fi movie vibes! It’s wild how quickly this is moving. Do you think you'd actually feel relaxed sitting in a robotaxi, or would you be gripping the seat the whole time?
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When infrastructure improves mobility, someone reflexively asks, “What is the cost?”
When millions are lifted out of poverty, the response comes just as quickly: “But at what cost?”
The brilliance of this question lies in the fact that it rarely requires an answer.
It creates the appearance of rational inquiry, without the burden of making a judgment;
it introduces doubt, without the obligation to provide evidence.
Over time, “at what cost?” has become a rhetorical shortcut—
a substitute for engaging with complexity,
and a convenient way to simulate depth when no stronger argument is available.
Perhaps the real question is not “what is the cost,”
but why some seem capable of asking only this.
failed to offer a consistent and safe service
-UK
Answer : '' 0 accidents, a cost of 5-Chinese-yuan charge for a 5 km journey ''