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john

Rolled back the status of whom? The worker?
You obviously have not visited your neighborhood Wal-Mart lately. I have yet to see college professors tending the makeup counter. Nor have I seen collegiates assisting in the swim suit sections.

Matt Lee

I have to say that you make a good point, but I can't stop going there after I just got a heating blanket for shit cold Davis for $35, rolled-back from $47. If Wallmart didn't do it, then someone else will. It's the way the economy is set to work. Unless a company has some sort of proprietary information, that industry will keep getting more competitors until the profit is zero. Basically, people will keep entering the market as long as there are profits to be made. Can't stop it by stopping Wallmart. Actaully, you should root for them so that they will become a monopoly and the government will step in.

Eric Jones

Hey there john slow down before steam starts coming off your head. This is a blurb from a friend's upcoming book. But I must say Walmart makes me sick although if wireless networks, probably first in the form of mobile phones for those in the midwest, will enable the masses to become more like smart mobs than masses and choose amazon or an alternative with flavor over Walmart.

john

ok, but what makes Amazon different than walmart? just because jeff bezos drives a honda rather than a mercedes; that makes them a better alternative? both are capitalistic companies striving for the same goal: increased market share, for ultimately more money in their pockets. why is that such a bad thing these days anyway?

Eric Jones

You're absolutely right John, the hegemonic effects of juggernauts like Walmart and Amazon can be costly to the surrounding culture both in physical and cyber space.
I hear all the talk about Walmart and its grip on the suppliers and that the government pays more in medicare to their employees than blah blah blah but to tell you the truth what bothers me the most isn't the tangible proof but the feeling I get when I see a big ugly Walmart with fat campers and SUV's outside sucking any distinguishable energies that community once had.

kevin jones

in defense of Amazon, and i realize that in itself might be an indefensible statement, they are investing in some neat things that seem to add to the public space of culture, like the A9 search engine, and other things like 43 things that let people join together to do things they want to do, work on goals they want to achieve. wal mart's cultural impact and its economic impact is deadening. i don't find that to be true of amazon

heintz

why is walmart's cultural impact deadening? have they not raised the standard of living for most, if not all, Americans by making everyday goods more affordable; hence, leaving more money in their pockets to spend at their discretion?

Victor Barclay

I think everyone should read these Pulitzer-prize winning pieces from the LA Times on the "Walmart Effect"

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-walmart-sg,1,1534896.storygallery

Walmart might be good for consumers in the short run, but in the long run it is terrible for the community as a whole. US jobs are lost as suppliers are forced to move operations overseas to meet Walmart's demands for low prices. Health care costs must be absorbed by local communities because Walmart won't spring for healthcare for it's workers. Walmart is also the target of a large-class action lawsuit because of it's discriminatory practices against women.

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