[amelius]

> However, when you are a data-driven oligarchy like Facebook, Google, Amazon, or Uber, you can’t really wash your hands of the impact of your algorithms and your ability to shape popular sentiment in our society. We are not just talking about the ability to influence voters with fake news. If you are Amazon, you have to acknowledge that you are slowly corroding the retail sector, which employs many people in this country. If you are Airbnb, no matter how well-meaning your focus on delighting travellers, you are also going to affect hotel-industry employment.

Yes, it is not fair if a small part of the population reaps all the benefits of hundreds of years of progress, while the majority has to fear for losing their jobs.

A lack of fairness means a lack of empathy.

[hash-set]

Is Amazon really corroding the retail sector or is brick and mortar largely just obsolete?

[apozem]

Both. Amazon corrodes the power of brick and mortar by obsoleting it. Why go to a store limited by shelf space when you can shop at one with essentially infinite inventory?

[amelius]

Probably both.