[eik3_de]

> This begs an obvious question: why are people choosing to do this if it pays $0/hr? It’s voluntary. Can they find something better to do with their time?

Maybe because they want to do something purposeful with their life, even if it doesn't earn them any net cash? Maybe a "Thank you" and a smile from a delivery customer makes for a better day then just being "lazy" and watching TV/consuming social media?

[michaelt]

I find it hard to believe someone who wanted to work for free on something meaningful would choose to volunteer for DoorDash in preference to a normal charity?

[eik3_de]

I don't think most of them were in a situation to say "I want to work for free" and then chose DoorDash (per definition a for-profit job) over volunteering for charity (per definition a non-profit job). I could imagine they found the job, it generated some cash flow and only they later realized that the math doesn't work out.