[2OEH8eoCRo0]

At some point we went through the looking glass where the stock is the product.

Is this a new phenomena? Stocks aren't new. Why is the modern market treated like this? Did Henry Ford make his vehicles shitter to increase his stock value?

[pseudalopex]

Companies with insufficient competition treated customers badly always. Antitrust enforcement weakened since the 1970s. And investors demanded short term gains.

[cornonthecobra]

It's the private equity era. Much like how legislative behaviour is now dictated by the wealthy even to the point of contradicting the will/desire of informed voters, corporate behaviour is now dictated by private equity investment to the point of contradicting the demand from informed user/consumers.

[M95D]

> Did Henry Ford make his vehicles shitter to increase his stock value?

You should really really read about Dodge vs. Ford case. It all started with that case.