Capitalism, unchecked. It may not be an issue for long as the company continues to automate more and more jobs away for their share holders.

I'm curious as to whether any of the commenters on Slog actually boycott Amazon. I'm particularly curious about the progressives. If you are a progressive who supports Amazon, how do you justify it? I don't understand how you can de-politicize your support of Amazon and other companies whose business practices and roles in the gentrification of cities are directly opposed to so much of what you believe in.

@2 -- Not that I need patting on the back, but I refuse to buy or accept anything bought from Amazon. I made that decision years ago and it's been quite easy to maintain. I buy books from brick and mortar stores, but if the only way a book's available is in e- form, I buy direct from the publisher or through Powell's in Portland. Anything other than books, I don't even consider using Amazon as my source.

As far as that NYT article awhile back goes, I don't work at Amazon but I know ex-Microsofties there that find the "work/balance" better than it was in Redmond for them. Nevertheless, all teams are different - but these extrapolations (like those by the NYT along with anti-captiatlists) are not accurate.

#3, That's awesome. I am trying to be more conscientious about the industries and companies I support, but I haven't gotten there with Amazon yet (though I want to as I really hate them). I stopped using Air BnB after reading about their impact on the housing market and only buy used clothes aside from socks & underwear.

But Amazon has been hard to give up. I can't justify it, though, beyond "they carry things that I want and can't find anywhere else," which I know is stupid.

@2 I stopped buying from Amazon several years ago when they encouraged people to go to brick/mortar businesses, have the salespeople help them pick out the best merchandise in value/quality. Then go home and order from Amazon! A friend of mine owns a bookstore, every day she catches several people trying to scan the ISBN so they can save a couple of bucks at Amazon!

Amazon and Uber are the biggest parasites we have.

I don't really have a particular problem with Amazon or Wal-Mart in theory (obviously they could both stand to treat their employees better), but I do find it odd that there are people who call Wal-Mart evil, yet shop at Amazon.