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> I just don't like how amazon.com killed local. If it hadn't been Amazon it would have been InsertOtherNameHere. Amazon didn't kill local, consumers did. Capi

> I just don't like how amazon.com killed local. If it hadn't been Amazon it would have been InsertOtherNameHere. Amazon didn't kill local, consumers did. Capitalism sometimes sucks for those who swim against the main stream.

daxfohl 9y ago
That's exactly what I'm saying. What ever happened to going against the stream?
- olalonde 9y ago
  Well at least you have enough self-awareness to realize your opinions aren't widely shared. I for one will keep shopping on Amazon :)
dwaltrip 9y ago
Very true. I would also say it's more that technology reached a sophistication level where Amazon is possible. Of course, having an open marketplace is a prerequisite.
Bakary 9y ago
Protecting the environment used to be quite against the capitalist mainstream and even today getting anything done is like pulling teeth. We absolutely need people swimming against the stream or we'll pay the price. Of course, I'm a hypocrite for not doing anything myself.
- olalonde 9y ago
  Well yeah, but that's another topic entirely. Especially that Amazon is probably more eco friendly than local retail.
  - Bakary 9y ago
    All of these topics are related because they all tie into the problems caused by increased consumption that is encouraged by the mainstream way of living. To take the example you've just mentioned, while Amazon may be more eco-friendly per transaction, as a whole it encourages much more consumption through the convenience the service brings. Somewhat similar to the Jevons paradox. The point is that the cost of the mainstream tends to be distributed in a long term and systemic way, (for instance Amazon becoming an extraordinarily powerful monopoly, or the environment slowly reaching a critical threshold) which makes preventing them necessary but extremely difficult to do. Not to mention that the advantages of our system are also undeniable and more visible.

daxfohl 9y ago

That's exactly what I'm saying. What ever happened to going against the stream?

olalonde 9y ago
Well at least you have enough self-awareness to realize your opinions aren't widely shared. I for one will keep shopping on Amazon :)

dwaltrip 9y ago

Very true. I would also say it's more that technology reached a sophistication level where Amazon is possible. Of course, having an open marketplace is a prerequisite.

Bakary 9y ago

Protecting the environment used to be quite against the capitalist mainstream and even today getting anything done is like pulling teeth. We absolutely need people swimming against the stream or we'll pay the price. Of course, I'm a hypocrite for not doing anything myself.

olalonde 9y ago
Well yeah, but that's another topic entirely. Especially that Amazon is probably more eco friendly than local retail.
- Bakary 9y ago
  All of these topics are related because they all tie into the problems caused by increased consumption that is encouraged by the mainstream way of living. To take the example you've just mentioned, while Amazon may be more eco-friendly per transaction, as a whole it encourages much more consumption through the convenience the service brings. Somewhat similar to the Jevons paradox. The point is that the cost of the mainstream tends to be distributed in a long term and systemic way, (for instance Amazon becoming an extraordinarily powerful monopoly, or the environment slowly reaching a critical threshold) which makes preventing them necessary but extremely difficult to do. Not to mention that the advantages of our system are also undeniable and more visible.