SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The Islamic Republic remains in many ways cut off economically from the rest of the world. Big-name Western brands shun the market for fear of violating sanctions that remain in place even after the country's landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
That means no KFC—just local upstarts like "Iran Fried Chicken"—or credit and ATM cards connected to global banking networks. Visitors to the country must carry in thick wads of dollars. Many popular social-networking sites like Facebook are blocked by government censors.
Order from Amazon or call an Uber? Forget about it.
In their place, a surprisingly active tech startup scene has sprung up. It's driven by a growing number of Iranian millennials who see their country of 80 million people not as an isolated outcast but as a market ripe with opportunity.
Among the fastest-growing companies in the digital transformation is Snapp, the ride-hailing app Meisami uses.
He estimates he makes more than $900 working in a good month, pulling in a much larger cut per fare than he would driving for a traditional taxi-style car service. His hours are long—12 hours a day most days a week—but he likes being able to pick when and where he works.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 06 2017, @12:15AM (2 children)
Life there seems hampered by having religious police and nosy neighbors watching you for doing any religious transgressing. Free speech is probably not a thing..
(Score: 2) by nethead on Tuesday June 06 2017, @12:29AM
So, like Kansas?
How did my SN UID end up over 3 times my /. UID?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Tuesday June 06 2017, @12:56AM
Religious vigilante neighbors aren't a real problem. Not in Tehran, for the most part. Instead, it's like the US.
Don't get into grudge feud with your neighbor, or they will use your vodka-fueled party night to call police, as a nuclear option.
Mostly these are fines and reprimands, but the Baseej like to make occasional examples, especially if there are possible liberal-leaning election cycles coming. You only need to pick a few, now and again, not enforce as the rule, when there is flogging. In this, Tehran resembles Singapore - not usually cited as a target for bigoted ignorance because of its liberties outrages.
The neighbor thing seldom occurs. It really is nuclear, and there's inevitable social consequence. Your neighbors know YOUR dirt, too. Like the satellite dish, etc.
I wouldn't want to live there - but damned if I wouldn't EASILY choose it over Ukraine, or Israel, for that matter.
You're betting on the pantomime horse...