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This is about online vs retail in a space where the online version has clear advantages for the consumer. We don’t need to prop up an inferior (worse selection
by monkeyelite 1y ago
This is about online vs retail in a space where the online version has clear advantages for the consumer.
We don’t need to prop up an inferior (worse selection, higher price) book industry.
> Which is to say that the marketplace as a whole exists for the benefit of the public.
That’s a more generous characterization than I would use. Once again, if I’m forced to use worse goods at higher prices thats not a benefit to me.
- fc417fc802 1y agoI wasn't arguing against online retail. I was responding to your first point about businesses versus public institutions. > if I’m forced to use worse goods at higher prices thats not a benefit to me. Not all benefits are first order effects. Presumably you appreciate your local environment not being full of heavy metals despite the fact that remediating toxic waste increases production costs.
- monkeyelite 1y ago> Not all benefits are first order effects. I agree with that. And there are certainly negative second order effects of Amazon. > Presumably you appreciate your local environment not being full of heavy metals I’m just not agreeing that big business = evil and environment destroying and local business = good and sustainable I’ve had good and bad experiences with both and have no evidence that local business is immune from bad incentives.