Cruising the Payments Swingles Bar
As holiday shopping season hits us, the payments space is starting to feel like a bar at closing time: a lot of sudden pairings that may not make sense in the morning. Plus, the gritty...
Amazon
The Stuff Shortage is a First World Problem
Shortages in the labor market; ports that can’t offload container ships; rising prices–it’s a recipe for a stuff shortage. Taming the supply chain is going to take a concerted effort on many fronts.
Breaking Up (Companies) is Hard to Do–But It Can Happen
AT&T was broken up in the 80’s. That same year, a giant antitrust suit against IBM was dropped. But both companies broke into parts. The past can instruct the present.
How Cold and Impersonal Should Grocery Shopping Get?
Tech companies are moving quickly towards grab and go shopping. But as clerks disappear, do we really want to lose the human touch as we do our rounds?
The Coming “Amazon Age” in Advertising
A quiet giant in digital advertising has been hiding in plain sight. Say hello to Amazon Advertising, the giant well-poised to upend the digital duopoly of Google and Facebook.
The Social Dilemma’s Blind Spot
A documentary on the ills of social media does well at explaining certain problems, but its own obliviousness highlights the critical underlying issue.
The New Industrial-Military Complex
Business is ahead of government in creating new technologies that can serve as weapons. Employees at Google, Amazon and Microsoft are boldly -- and publicly -- opposing the strategies.
In the Media’s New Battles, Consumers Will Win. Here’s Why.
Cable and wireless internet companies are in trouble, as consumers demand more for less.
Real Customer Service Can’t Happen Yet on Smart Speakers
It’s easy to imagine a world in which companies collaborate to provide voice-enabled customer service through virtual personal assistants. In fact, it could be a major economic enabler. But Amazon Alexa and Google Home aren't...
