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[qrypt]

One reason to object to Amazon is the fact that it undermines independent booksellers, sure.  But losing independent booksellers isn't a problem in regard to access to books -- Amazon makes most books easily accessible.  Losing independent booksellers is a problem mainly because we then lose a certain kind of public space where people can connect in certain ways (readings, chance encounters, etc.)  If we can maintain that kind of public space in other ways, then I don't see the problem with losing booksellers -- those are expensive spaces, they make the books expensive, and Amazon makes most books cheaper, more accessible.  (Yes, I realize there are also effects on publishers and authors.)

I used to work at a really nice independent bookstore in Madison -- it does make me sad to lose places like that.  But this one never made sense financially, the owners lost massive amounts of money and then it finally failed.  Failure of places like that is inevitable -- what's needed is to create more viable spaces for that kind of social activity. 

[zharkov]

For me, the gateway drug for Amazon was, of course, books.   Before Amazon, BN, and etc., ordering and getting an academic or scholarly book took weeks.  Now a few days, or even instantly if it comes in Kindle.   Amazon also allows one to keep dozens of things in the cart (save for later) or wishlist.  I sometimes will use them to keep books I mean to search for later in the library.  

Walmart is fine for staples like index cards or socks, but around here, they seemed to mostly replace other strip mall department stores that fell by the wayside, not that many small and local stores.

[neutralname]

One reason to object to Amazon is the fact that it undermines independent booksellers, sure.  But losing independent booksellers isn't a problem in regard to access to books -- Amazon makes most books easily accessible.  Losing independent booksellers is a problem mainly because we then lose a certain kind of public space where people can connect in certain ways (readings, chance encounters, etc.)  If we can maintain that kind of public space in other ways, then I don't see the problem with losing booksellers -- those are expensive spaces, they make the books expensive, and Amazon makes most books cheaper, more accessible.  (Yes, I realize there are also effects on publishers and authors.)

I used to work at a really nice independent bookstore in Madison -- it does make me sad to lose places like that.  But this one never made sense financially, the owners lost massive amounts of money and then it finally failed.  Failure of places like that is inevitable -- what's needed is to create more viable spaces for that kind of social activity. 

Bookstore are/were public spaces, but I  never met anyone there.  I've occasionally gone to readings by authors at bookstores, but public readings can occur in other places.  I was a bit sad to see Borders go, and there are some pleasant independent bookstores, but I agree, there's no real need for them any more. 

I'm much more concerned to preserve public libraries than I am to preserve bookstores.  They serve a more useful social function.

[hipgeek]

As LarryC said, Amazon prime is just great.  I have already watched a few free movies.  I get quick, free shipping on hundreds of items.  I get to borrow from the Kindle Lending library--it's awesome.

Also, like Neutral Name, I care a lot more about public libraries than I do bookstores--especially chains like B & N or Borders; I never had any special fondness for either of those stores.  I do like a good used bookstore but none of the used bookstores I treasure have failed since the online shopping revolution--they've simply utilized the internet as a place to advertise, and do additional transactions. If anything, these independent bookstores I go to seem to be thriving now that they can reach a wider customer base.

[coalminecanary]

I also love Amazon. Perhaps they could secretly use webcam shots of us as we shop from home to create a "People of Amazon" site, much as we have the truly frightening " People of Walmart" site. If I shop only online, I miss seeing people in their pajamas in the afternoon, the wearing of the spandex, and the high tattoo:teeth ratio. Then again, this is also what led me to shop online in the first place.

[oldfullprof]

People of Walmart would be about a million seven day a week underpaid Chinese fronted by just a few minimum wage Americans. 

[coalminecanary]

People of Walmart would be about a million seven day a week underpaid Chinese fronted by just a few minimum wage Americans. 

True, and very sad, particularly when child labor is involved. So many have been accused of this (Target, Disney, etc) that it makes it hard to decide where to shop without fear of contributing to the low wages and poor treatment.

[mended_drum]

I do think that's the angle I was getting at. It's just weird that I love to shop Amazon and hate hate hate Walmart.

This is not weird at all. Don't all intelligent people prefer the experience at Amazon over the experience at Walmart?

I like them both.  I have to admit that I actually go to Wal-Mart for the atmosphere.  I come from a very, very blue collar family, and every once in a while, all the latte-drinking, free-range-chicken-buying, making-fun-of-Americans-as-stupid, fat fools academics with which I am surrounded drive me into the arms of the Wal-Mart shoppers for relief.

Of course, when I visit family for an extended period, I run and hide in a pretentious coffee house for a few hours to escape them as well.   

[karmann]

Mr. Karmann worked for an Amazon warehouse for several years.  He was an "Amazonian," meaning full-time, permanent employee with benefits.  However, a good portion of the people working alongside him were contracted through a temp agency (thus avoiding benefits) and fired right before the state's labor laws stipulated they'd have to be hired permanently (I think it was after a year).  Then, they could be rehired as temps the next week, starting the one-year temp clock again.  They also avoided giving raises this way. 

Amazon also makes its employees do the pep rally thing.   Oh, and around Valentine's Day, they would shift employees from spouse's warehouse to the jewelry warehouse 60 miles away, leaving it up to them to figure out/pay for transportation for those couple of weeks. 

[spork]

Amazon has Amazon Web Services. It is a cloud computing service provider. Walmart doesn't have this and won't ever have it.

With gas at $3.50-$4.00 per gallon for the foreseeable future, Walmart is going to have problems making its road-based supply chain cost competitive for its retail stores. That's the real reason you are seeing local produce in the Super Walmarts. I think the only long term solution for the brick and mortar stores is for Walmart to take over the railroads. Or develop electric cargo trucks.

As an individual shopper, I find Amazon's search engine to be brilliant. It easily allows me to find stuff that is priced lower than on eBay. And Walmart often doesn't stock the item I want in store or online.