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I think there is an argument about wealth inequality there. Wealth that previously was distributed among local bookstores is now concentrated in a single compan
by thayne 6y ago
I think there is an argument about wealth inequality there. Wealth that previously was distributed among local bookstores is now concentrated in a single company and it's shareholders. That's a pretty naive analysis, but I suspect Amazon's monopoly power has contributed to America's increasing wealth inequality.
- rahimnathwani 6y agoAmazon probably has more shareholders today than the total number of people who have ever owned a share of a local bookstore.
- malandrew 6y agoThis. Most booksellers could have just sold their bookstores years ago and bought shares of Amazon and done far better because they simply can't provide a faster, cheaper and better experience for their customers than Amazon can.
- thayne 6y ago> because they simply can't provide a... better experience for their customers than Amazon can That's debatable. If I want a specific book, sure. But Amazon simply cannot replicate the experience of browsing a bookstore looking for an interesting book to read. I cannot physically hold the book in my hands, flip through it's pages, maybe read a few excerpts, etc. And if I'm buying a used book, I can't inspect the actual condition myself before purchasing.
- qwhelan 6y agoWe've come full circle - Amazon has a bookstore chain these days (Amazon Books).