I used to enjoy The Post. I used to do 90% of my non grocery shopping on Amazon. I am now getting my news from independent sources (The Bulwark, a variety of podcasts, and Substacks). I have gone back to paying more and doing 97% of my shopping locally and in person. I would like to find another electronic way to buy/read books so I haven't given up my Kindle, yet.
Bezos is a flawed man. He built a wildly successful company and has it all. Yet, he chooses to support a malignant, deranged narcissist and destructive, know-it-all oligarchs. For his kind, there is never enough.
This post highlights what has always puzzled me about Bezos and his bending the knee: He is so freaking rich, he could tell Trump to stuff it, and he would still be freaking rich. Why the gutlessness? Why the fear? I have to conclude it is because for Bezos, no amount of money is ever enough. And so he keeps on doing everything he can to make more, more, more. Like any greedy, grasping person would do. I refuse to patronize his businesses any more. I wish I could avoid websites that use AWS, but that's pretty much impossible. Maybe some day Bezos will watch "A Christmas Carol" and realize that he is exactly what Ebenezer Scrooge had become before the Spirits visited him. But I doubt it.
I believe in liberal democracy and am no believer in socialism, but there are some very distasteful and harmful characteristics of capitalism. One of these is the public company, the only goal of which is to serve the financial interests of the shareholders. Even if a board or CEO wants to abide by strict ethical standards, if the shareholders do not agree with this, they are liable to lose their jobs or even be sued, because ethics do not contribute to the bottom line. This hardly means that owners and managers of private companies always act ethically, but they don’t have a fiduciary obligation to act unethically. Of course not all managers of public companies act unethically, but that is only because the nature of their particular business doesn’t require it in order to maximize profits.
I used to enjoy The Post. I used to do 90% of my non grocery shopping on Amazon. I am now getting my news from independent sources (The Bulwark, a variety of podcasts, and Substacks). I have gone back to paying more and doing 97% of my shopping locally and in person. I would like to find another electronic way to buy/read books so I haven't given up my Kindle, yet.
Great that you found local alternatives. Check your local library! My area's library system has e-books, audio books, and more FOR FREE!
Unfortunately mine doesn't. I'd love to get into a vibrant borrowing system.
Girl same
Goodreads
Does Goodreads sell or lend ebooks? I thought they just reviewed them.
Bezos is a flawed man. He built a wildly successful company and has it all. Yet, he chooses to support a malignant, deranged narcissist and destructive, know-it-all oligarchs. For his kind, there is never enough.
Money never buys fulfillment or love or true happiness.
Never
This post highlights what has always puzzled me about Bezos and his bending the knee: He is so freaking rich, he could tell Trump to stuff it, and he would still be freaking rich. Why the gutlessness? Why the fear? I have to conclude it is because for Bezos, no amount of money is ever enough. And so he keeps on doing everything he can to make more, more, more. Like any greedy, grasping person would do. I refuse to patronize his businesses any more. I wish I could avoid websites that use AWS, but that's pretty much impossible. Maybe some day Bezos will watch "A Christmas Carol" and realize that he is exactly what Ebenezer Scrooge had become before the Spirits visited him. But I doubt it.
Demonstrations in Venice forced him to move his wedding venue. Voices have power!
That's why we need Home of the Brave. Oligarchs can be influenced if you hit them where the $$ is.
Did he marry her because he can't swim? Think about it.
His wedding in Venice is disgusting. I can think of at least a dozen better ways that would improve lives than this.
White thrash
He’s the trashiest
Thank you for your courage and candor.
I believe in liberal democracy and am no believer in socialism, but there are some very distasteful and harmful characteristics of capitalism. One of these is the public company, the only goal of which is to serve the financial interests of the shareholders. Even if a board or CEO wants to abide by strict ethical standards, if the shareholders do not agree with this, they are liable to lose their jobs or even be sued, because ethics do not contribute to the bottom line. This hardly means that owners and managers of private companies always act ethically, but they don’t have a fiduciary obligation to act unethically. Of course not all managers of public companies act unethically, but that is only because the nature of their particular business doesn’t require it in order to maximize profits.
And Mark Zuckerberg
The cowardice is depressing.
All the Oligarchs except Cuban.
Excellent. I dropped the Post last year and I quit Amazon years ago when they started Prime. Then I quit Whole Foods when Bezos kissed the ring.
Where we spend our money is one of the few freedoms we have left.
Profile in greed as well.
Lots of wealth, but no courage
Dr evil. Only uglier