Amazon and Google Shake Up Workforce with Huge Layoffs

[Nathan]

The main problem is that far too many people have decided that they really don't care, and don't want to believe anything other than get from the various echo chambers they subscribe to. They know broader research would give them a better. clearer, understanding of complex topics - but it's just too much work and may go against whatever is trending, so...........

Yes, this has become a huge stumbling block to the Public's ability to assess issues and make rational decisions.

 

[dilettante]

your criticism is facile, and you know it.

Really? Hmm:

When Murdock bought Fox, was there any doubt it would become an arm for right-wing propaganda?

"My bubble good, his bubble bad" is about as primitively simplistic as things get. Inflammatory rhetoric and labels are par for the course.

Sure, corporate media operate to cater to specific markets to ensure retention and thus ongoing profits. But at some point they began to operate as agents fueling the very division that they thrive on.

"Broader research" is obviously valuable. That's where independent media help make a difference. Discrediting it as:

... a belief in random Social Media accounts, web sites funded by people even more extreme, and the gossip based on whatever is going viral today.

Seems pretty weak and self-serving. Like something released by an authoritarian regime.

 

[VaughanJB]

Really? Hmm:

"My bubble good, his bubble bad" is about as primitively simplistic as things get. Inflammatory rhetoric and labels are par for the course.

Sure, corporate media operate to cater to specific markets to ensure retention and thus ongoing profits. But at some point they began to operate as agents fueling the very division that they thrive on.

"Broader research" is obviously valuable. That's where independent media help make a difference. Discrediting it as:

Seems pretty weak and self-serving. Like something released by an authoritarian regime.

Not "primitive simplistic", just generalized so I don't have to add a full paragraph of caveats for those more willing to nit-pick than indulge in a conversation. This is a common strategy in adult conversation in these parts.

Now, at what point did corporate media begin to operate as "agents"? The only station I can think of that might be guilty of that is Fox, because they don't seem to do much other than cover the new (usually poorly). But even then, they're doing what other stations do - they chase the audience. They give the audience what it wants.

On the other hand, when it comes to Social Media that has been designed specifically to model the needs of our psyche. Dopamine hits, fear, expectation, it's involved in every part of the platforms design from the installation process to the buttons presented and colors used. Broadcast TV can't be so exacting.

I find it ironic you'd suggest I sound like an "authoritarian regime" when I constantly repeat that broad research, reading both sides of an argument, and ignoring most of Social Media will vastly improve discourse. We must have a very different definition for the term.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

A few things. Today, the stock market hit the highest level, EVER. And we are not in a recession. Plus, aside from the nice pics of corporation headquarters, there's little factual statistics, like numbers of actual people laid off. I think this article is click bait.
In the US, we are in an election year, there's going to be an uptick in political "the place is going to hell" internet themes, whether or not they are factual. I get suspicious when some guy is the main source.

 

[Knight]

there's little factual statistics, like numbers of actual people laid off. I think this article is click bait.

The article does show amount of layoffs in each company listed. Not included is the restaurant businesses. There is a trickle down effect that isn't discussed. The supply side jobs that can be reduced or eliminated due to no need for those supplies.
I don't foresee collapse but more homeless as the long term result of job loss.

I couldn't find info on job joss by federal employees. I did find this.

From the U S department of labor.
As the nation's largest employer, the federal government must model effective employment policies and practices that advance America's ideal of equal opportunity for all.
Federal Employers.

 

[VaughanJB]

A few things. Today, the stock market hit the highest level, EVER. And we are not in a recession. Plus, aside from the nice pics of corporation headquarters, there's little factual statistics, like numbers of actual people laid off. I think this article is click bait.
In the US, we are in an election year, there's going to be an uptick in political "the place is going to hell" internet themes, whether or not they are factual. I get suspicious when some guy is the main source.

Some people are currently making a mint. it's just that when it's not us, we say the economy is rubbish. The so called "trickle down effect" isn't working, all the money is starting at the top and staying there.

That and societal change. For instance, there's concern here that the High Street's are drying up, businesses closing etc. The reality is, yeah, because I and a lot of people don't need High Streets any longer. Hell, I literally never go anymore, and haven't for years. I can get everything online. Even groceries are delivered, so I don't need to enter those horrible places.

Same with Restaurants. People get a lot of stuff delivered now. Society is changing, and priorities are changing too.

Still, what you say is true, there's a lot of catastrophizing going on. It seems to be the way these days - everything must either be terrible or out of this world, with no middle ground.

 

[Knight]

Some people are currently making a mint. it's just that when it's not us, we say the economy is rubbish. The so called "trickle down effect" isn't working, all the money is starting at the top and staying there.

Quote from my post.

"There is a trickle down effect that isn't discussed. The supply side jobs that can be reduced or eliminated due to no need for those supplies. "

Rather than think in terms of money trickling down , the sentence following notes that supply side jobs are affected.

For example sake.
Looking at restaurants what do you think happens when the need for the fruits, vegetables, meat, cleaning, utilities, rent or lease, are no longer needed? What happens to the taxes closed businesses used to pay? Toss in unemployment for unemployed & the taxes employees pay.

CHAIN RESTAURANTS WITH CLOSURES IN 2024:

- Cracker Barrel

- Applebee’s

- TGI Fridays

- Denny’s

- Boston Market

- Mod Pizza

- PDQ

- Outback Steakhouse

- Hardee’s

- Tijuana Flats

For more on the closures, visit “Eat This, Not That!”
These chain restaurants are closing locations in 2024

 

[VaughanJB]

Looking at restaurants what do you think happens when the need for the fruits, vegetables, meat, cleaning, utilities, rent or lease, are no longer needed? What happens to the taxes closed businesses used to pay?

It means taxes will have to either reduce, or come from other things. There's nothing special or noble about getting taxes from fast food. If all fast food went away (unlikely, but....) then taxes would have to come from elsewhere. The economy is static only for short periods. As it changes, so everything changes.

Still, need for food won't ever go away. When it comes to leases for commercial businesses, they're part of the problem in the UK. They're too high. And no utility company is going broke any time soon.

 

[Knight]

It means taxes will have to either reduce, or come from other things. There's nothing special or noble about getting taxes from fast food. If all fast food went away (unlikely, but....) then taxes would have to come from elsewhere. The economy is static only for short periods. As it changes, so everything changes.

Still, need for food won't ever go away. When it comes to leases for commercial businesses, they're part of the problem in the UK. They're too high. And no utility company is going broke any time soon.

Taxes reduced, do you have an example? The other things you mention are what? It's not really about tax loss it's about the impact on lives directly or indirectly. My experience has been taxes come from those still employed. Restaurants were only for example sake, all kinds of employers are laying off people. That IMO has the real possibility of creating more homeless.

 

[VaughanJB]

Taxes reduced, do you have an example? The other things you mention are what? It's not really about tax loss it's about the impact on lives directly or indirectly. My experience has been taxes come from those still employed. Restaurants were only for example sake, all kinds of employers are laying off people. That IMO has the real possibility of creating more homeless.

I can't help you out. My post could be summarized as: As the tax base dwindles, money has to be found elsewhere. Of course, the other option is to cut services. The quite I was replying to mentions more than restaurants - so I'm not quite following you.

As for homelessness - to quote Crisis: "Many people become homeless because they can no longer afford the rent. And for many, life events like a relationship breaking down, losing a job, mental or physical health problems, or substance misuse put people under considerable strain."

In the UK we have an economy that has largely been driven by the rising price of housing. Families have borrowed against their homes and lived lives they really couldn't afford. That is, they can afford it while house prices continue to rise, but if they fall, disaster awaits. This constant increase has meant buy-to-let properties have had ever increasing rental costs. With wages stagnant, that's a recipe for disaster.

Economies go up and down. Recessions happen. It's cycle. Increased homelessness isn't on the same cycle, though of course recession doesn't help.