I think your comment will likely be underappreciated, but this is really the most comprehensive take on understanding the ecosystem. Conversely, the default st

I think your comment will likely be underappreciated, but this is really the most comprehensive take on understanding the ecosystem. Conversely, the default state of things where ACX is effectively targeting the "leftovers" that nobody else thought was profitable enough, also represents an opportunity for product marketing. To those authors who have no other choice but ACX, ideally you'd want them to feel like this is a positive for them, a saving grace, a friend helping you out when nobody else would... rather than like say, a loan shark offering usurious terms and a threat to break your kneecaps after you've tried other banks and couldn't get a business loan. Picking an interpretation is really just about a point of view, so the PR/marketing folks better get out there and start spinning the other way (which to be fair, I think there IS a legitimate friendly take here, and IMO I don't think Audible is really the loan shark in this analogy). For now, the net result is not dissimilar from Uber and its drivers. Uber PR will harp on flexibility and extra side income opportunities that wouldn't be possible without Uber, while detractors will harp on the low earnings potential factoring in vehicle maintenance or the ever present contractor vs employee debate. No matter which side you believe more, the net result is that drivers don't have much leverage and aren't getting a particularly generous deal by any means... So it goes for authors and narrators on ACX too, I think.