Nom de plume: Rivrdog

Amazon: the Oligarchs, not the Rain Forest

Amazon.com. under my microscope today.

 

First, read this article:

 

Now having digested the article (about a six-minute read), what does it say about Amazon's BUSINESS MODEL?

 

Amazon's business model is based on inflating huge HYPE balloons, primarily to keep the stock inflated, but then translating just enough of the concepts behind the gasbag-ideas to reality to keep the hype rolling.

 

Okay, so far. The auto companies have been known for this type of commerce for years, haven't they? They are still here, and they regularly trot out new models with lots of hype (Land Rover). Some of the new models are spectacular failures (Chevy Volt). Some are giant successes (Ford F-150).

 

So, the article says invest in Amazon shares and you won't lose money. End of story?

 

HELL NO!

 

This morning, the wiff was NOT watching Faux News as I stumbled into the kitchen to fire up my first cuppa joe, she was watching HGTV. I ignored the "Oh, Wow Show" as I call it and poured my cup of Life and started to sip the nectar. Time for ads, and an ad came on for a new medical service called "PillPack". They stole an idea from hospital pharmacies and went public with it. It's a good idea. They take all your prescriptions, pack them in a package of packages, and label each one well as to when the little envelope must be opened and the pills taken. Very useful when memory is fading. I had seen this ad for maybe six months. It now has an icon attached to it:

 

"PillPack.com is an Amazon company."

 

Back to my youth: I was a HUGE fan of Sci-Fi as a teen. In fact, it was the biggest thing in my life (not chicks, until I was about 17). A recurrent sci-fi theme in the Fifties was Oligarchy, or the planet being run by mega-corporations. Part of this was just-plain Communism, but part was intelligent warning. IIRCC, A.E. Van Vogt was big on this theme. Arthur C. Clarke as well.

 

Taking Amazon's plans out even farther than their hype-motor can power them, what do we see?

 

Amazon NOW has captured 49% of Internet commerce dollars. When they get much past 70-80%, they OWN commerce, just like in the sci-fi stories. When you OWN all the commerce, what do you get into next?

 

GOVERNMENT. You BUY Government! When you own Government, what do you do? You FORCE the folks to buy your products, that's what you do. We are just about there, my friends.

 

Still don't believe me? Ask China's President Xi Jin Ping about HIS "social credit" system. It fits Amazon.com to a "T".

 

That "T" stands for Trouble.

Hurricane TMI, and how to fix that

How to Hurricane: you can't do it on TeeVee, too hit & miss. You have to do it online.

Start here: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Note all the blue links on that "Home Page" for details.

Look at the main graphic shown here. while you are OMFG-ing over Dorian, a depression with a 40-60% chance of development is in the Gulf of Mexico, for example. The yellow"X" right behind Dorian will probably fizzle, but the RED "X" just off the African coast is a worry.

Ignore the TV dog & pony shows unless you live in the state whose politicians are speaking. for instance, if you're not from FL, ignore Governor Scott, he is unlikely to bring you news ot the TD in the Gulf, for example.

Ignore "Storm Screamers"; TV networks love to put them on, but their ONLY job is to kickstart your emotions. Hurricanes are a survival exercise, you get through them because you're smart, have prepared, or you suffer the consequences of being an idiot. Emotions not involved in either case, so reject them when presented.

Pro-Tip: Evaluate the Government on how they did to respond with the relief they are expected to organize. Remember that evaluation next November as you vote.

I notice that KPTV was listing all the dot.orgs "sending people to Florida". They are telling you this so in their next broadcasts, those dot.orgs can send you their appeals for MONEY. Most of the money you send will be wasted, or used to push political causes. Don't send money unless you PERSONALLY have experience that such dot-orgs have a record of spending it wisely. Example: Hillary called in donations for Haiti earthquake, remember? What happened to that money? There was $5 BILLION sent! It was supposed to build a new hospital and rebuild hundreds of homes. Several years later, no hospital, and SIX homes had been rebuilt, and the funds were depleted. Just say no to emoting appeals.

Evaluating a hurricane is a matter of SCIENCE. Once you get the science, ignore all the rest of the blather.