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The author's point is about fear corroding democracy by limiting public action and information. "I am not going to let you sell your widget through Tamazon" is
by ethbro 7y ago
The author's point is about fear corroding democracy by limiting public action and information.
"I am not going to let you sell your widget through Tamazon" is unfortunate and potentially crippling for the supplier, but as you've pointed out that's business.
"I am not going to let you sell your widget through Tamazon... in the event you make disparaging remarks about Tamazon in any public forum or divulge any information about our agreements" is very different.
In the later case, the last mile is threatening to retaliate in the event the supplier does anything they don't like.
Which, as a supplier, you rightly wonder "What can I do to avoid getting on Tamazon's naughty list?" To which Tamazon replies with a wink and a smile, "Just be careful what you say and to who, and I'm sure it won't come to that."
Absent legal protections and methods of redress, this dynamic is likely to exist in any market where the aggregator captures a sizable customer share. The size disparity is simply too great.
- anm89 7y agoYeah, for me I personally agreed with his points when they were relating to how much power some corporate giants have to instill fear. But then the union bit and the anecdote about bidding the contract just seemed totally off topic except for the fact that someone felt scared at some point. I honestly don't hate the article but it ended up feeling like he was fishing for some story where someone was scared.
- TheOtherHobbes 7y agoSame class of interaction - and it highlights the extent to which monopolies are a distortion of political power and freedom of action.
- padobson 7y agoI agree with your point, limiting public discourse and transparency through business practices is more malicious than simply trying to increase efficiency by negotiating lower prices. That said, brave suppliers are capable of shifting the balance of power. Think about it, if "Tamazon" drops an efficient supplier for one of their competitors, Tamazon is going to expose themselves to a competitor who picks up that supplier - likely a competitor who's trying to break Tamazon's monopoly. Then, suddenly, Tamazon's competitor is offering the consumer a superior purchase option. If I was the supplier, I wouldn't get afraid, I'd get even. I'd go to every Tamazon competitor I could find and convince them to offer my product at wholesale and then give a scathing testimony to the anti-trust regulator.
- TheCoelacanth 7y agoYou would drive your own company out of business to make a minute dent in Tamazon's bottom line? Seems like it would not be a very popular course of action.
- Can_Not 7y agoSeems like the core issue is Amazon's huge size.