I have been reading every long, deeply-researched article about Amazon recently, trying to find some renewed respect for them, with no luck. Turning off my Kindle, spending more on cat food, wondering what I left behind on my wish list… all these actions have been wrenching for me. 

My loyalty to Amazon was based on the amazing convenience they supplied. I have worried that their prices are "too low" to be healthy. Now there's evidence piling up that they are willing to exploit everyone else to maintain their control of the market. 

Sam Walton was a great guy with a vision to benefit society. Then his idea was high-jacked by a bunch of greedy people. Jeff Bezos, on the other hand, just seems to be on some kind of sick power trip. 

Low prices are not infinitely good. Long-lasting loyalty is based on transactions that benefit every side. 

Flavorwire: Amazon Publishing Goes American Idol After Terrible Week, 2014-Oct-3 by Jonathon Sturgeon

This is calculating, technology-driven corporatism that should, honestly, surprise no one. On this note, too, maybe it’s time for literary publishing to ask itself whether Amazon is actually evil or just indifferent to authors, editors, agents, and readers. (It’s customers, silly.) And if Big Publishing wants to compete with Amazon — although it really can’t, considering that Amazon dwarfs them all — maybe it should do so by finding new, pro-editorial platforms that humanize the publishing process.