Hi, all. I want to address a comment I received after posting today’s newsletter. A subscriber wrote to say that my “Amazon-bashing” felt insensitive to her as a member of the mobility impaired community. In retrospect this is quite understandable, and for that I apologize. I know well that for a certain segment of the population—the other-abled included—Amazon has been a Godsend. So let me be clear: I am delighted that a service exists to bring affordable items to folks who struggle to get to the store. I love Amazon’s convenience as well; while I am able to go without it I recognize that many are not so lucky. That was important to mention, and I regret not doing so.
There are many companies that do what Amazon does, but far less now because Amazon's business model is to drive others out of business or make them advertise their products on their page for a fee. I can order groceries directly from the grocery store or order those same groceries from that store through Amazon and decrease the profit margin of the store owners so there are certainly options - same goes with clothing, home goods and a variety of accessories. So yes, Amazon is a wonderful service for folks that need things quick and easy but there are alternatives and they aren't hard to access.
Thank you Jessica. I'm so glad I met you at that zoom meeting. I've been inspired to become much more involved, just attended the Democratic Convention in MA as a delegate, and met with hundreds of people who are actively engaged in protecting Democracy. It's essential that we get physically involved in actions to make people aware. Posting on social media is not going to be enough. Letters and calls to elected officials, calls to voters in swing states, visits to swing state on election days to help those folks that spend hours in line watch their children, take a bathroom break and get a snack - that's where we can really make a difference.
I've been working with the high school kids to make sure they are getting as many students as possible registered to vote. They get it. They want a survivable planet and not have their uteri monitored by the govt.
.....sorry - but the time is now....actually it was years ago....but it's never to late to start to be the change we need!
Not exactly replying to your comment, so sorry, but it made me think about writers who have used Amazon to self publish. The rules are supposed to be brutal, and I've read that writers will not receive payment [and trust me, considering the amount they were receiving, the word payment is an overstatement] if the reader purchases the book digitally and later deletes it. I believe the writer also wrote that there is no payment for skipped pages -- how that's determined is beyond me.
I am sometimes mobility impaired, and I absolutely hate Amazon. I'm not sure why folks would conflate the real need for expansive home delivery with support for a labor-exploitative, small-business-crushing, and planet-killing company. We can need a service or company and still expect it to do better. In my view, no need to apologize.
I can't wait for the replies to my "insensitive" comment. :-)
Honestly, my feeling is that both of you are accurate. I haven’t used Amazon for years. I’m glad it’s available for those who need it and I sincerely hope that others will think twice before using it.
The amazing part of a conversation is to share your perspective, be listened to and then receive positive feedback (here an apology). Being open to feedback is indeed a learning experience that I personally know so well!
One more thought: the movie Nomadland is quite different from the book by the same name. If you want to read about how Amazon treats its employees you’ll find it in the book. One example: they had an ambulance at the ready at all times for those folks who fainted from the heat in the warehouse. It was cheaper to pay for an ambulance than to put in air conditioning. If you care about workers rights you may want to look elsewhere to purchase items. If you want to purchase the book, I would suggest using Bookshop.org.
Able bodied people do have a lot to learn. But I have to say that the internet is full of businesses online that are more ethical than Amazon. I avoid buying from Amazon unless it is the only place in the world I can get something that I need a lot. They famously treat their employees deplorably. They market anything and everything, with no regard for how environmentally safe the products are. Instead of Amazon, I buy books at https://www.betterworldbooks.com/ which is a "socially responsible bookseller with cheap new and used books. There are proliferating numbers of socially responsible businesses selling green products that you can find on https://www.greenamerica.org/green-businesses-products-services, orderable with the same rapidity as you would on Amazon. The difference is that you can know that you are part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
I try to use companies like that too, and have found that Target suffices as an Amazon replacement for most things. But again, I have a different situation than many.
In the real world people struggle and sometimes even fight to have their needs met, and other members of the same community can seem insensitive because those needs are "trod on" when they're specific only to one individual's situation.
Case in point: on the one hand, I want to support all attempts to maintain our rights to healthcare as women. More importantly, I want to regain rights we have lost. I've several times seen calls to end insurance coverage for and even to outlaw Viagra. I get why [other] women would feel that way: insurance picks up the cost of a drug primarily used for men's pleasure but not birth control, which not only prevents pregnancy but is used by many women for other uses like endometriosis. Ironically, despite being a woman, I also take a generic Viagra -- three times a day. It's a vasodilator, which helps with my pulmonary artery hypertension. How to support one without endangering the other? Mostly I've tried to do what I've done right here -- share information and hope we can all work toward a mutual good.
I am no fan of Amazon. Bezos made his billions on the backs of mom & pop shops by driving them out of business and on cities and states by starving them of needed tax dollars. By under-pricing, Amazon became the "go to" place to get many, many products, and today purchasing some niche item is difficult because other sellers have been driven out of business. The tax loss had impacted our social safety nets.
There is so much garbage now sold on Amazon -- translations of books that don't make sense and products so low in quality they are one use and dispose: I bought a dress for my daughter because the pattern was so lovely, but there was no way to wash it and get it clean. I saw a writer's box that was very cool looking. The prices on Amazon through multiple different sellers ranged from $10 to $200+. Reviews were universally terrible, but we don't always remember to read them. Alas.
We need to be sensitive to each others' needs when we can. We also need to be friendly advocates for ourselves when others don't realize what our needs are or how they're not being met. I'm certain Ms. Craven meant no harm and her commenter meant no foul. The nice thing about being part of communities like this one is that we really do have each others' backs.
While I agree with most all of your points, and respect you for acknowledging those of us who are impaired, Amazon does provide a huge service for small businesses who, until Amazon, were unable to reach the global market. It is very true that Amazon has been a major factor in the demise of the local bricks and mortar businesses that were the backbone of our smaller communities. This has been a significant loss to the richness of our local cultures. Having said that, there are tens, if not hundreds of thousands of businesses that Amazon has enabled.
It is easy to see the darkened storefronts. The thriving businesses that Amazon has helped are not on Main Street and thus are essentially invisible.
For all those writing about proper and improper language and phrasing around those individuals who may need wheelchairs, crutches and the like, to get around, I want to thank all of you for this discussion as it has caused me to stop and think about the language I use in these instances, and the assumptions I have been making about these individuals. I’ve never given this any thought before, but that is changing now thanks to you.
Just FYI, I wrote this comment to The New York Times in response to their article:
"As a Covid hermit, I rely, for health reasons, on Amazon for the bulk of what I purchase that isn't groceries (which I order online and pick up in the stores' parking lots), so I'm loathe to criticize the company that has helped keep me alive since March of 2022. But I read only in the last day or two that Amazon Prime will soon make users pay an additional $2.99 a month (above the $139 annual fee) to avoid ads during movies, etc.
In their greed, back at the end of 2022 they also ruined Amazon Music for me, making all recordings, even those I paid for years ago, play in shuffle mode, not straight through—for example, all the movements of a symphony— unless I paid an additional monthly fee for Amazon Music Unlimited. I did not pay that extra fee and simply stopped listening to Amazon Music.
Is not almost $500 billion a year in net sales (as of Q4 2022) enough for them?"
I confess to be very conflicted about buying from Amazon and don't mind your (or anyone's Amazon-bashing), but it truly has helped save my life for all non-grocery purchases I've made since March of 2020.
For music, I recommend an app called Qobuz - my husband is a classical music enthusiast and he loves it, they provide high quality audio that's difficult find elsewhere.
Thank you, Lorraine. I've bookmarked the site, but it costs $13/month (or a non-refundable annual subscription of $130), and I am reluctant to pay a monthly or annual fee, which is precisely why I moved away from Amazon Prime Music, thereby giving up my ability to listen to music I purchased from them in the past. I now actually find lots of good, free classical music (and jazz and other genres) on YouTube.
Indeed, there's a price to pay for the audio quality of Qobuz. Hubby has hyperacoustic hearing (I don't know if that's the correct term - he's very sensitive to sound and sound quality) & he's a hifi enthusiast. With his stereo equipment, he claims to hear a significant difference with Qobuz compared to other streaming services, but he's well aware that it isn't the case for everyone.
I'm happy that you have found something that meets your needs and didn't require a subscription. 🙂🎶
Don't get me wrong: I love good audio quality, but I content myself with free streaming. I'm glad your husband can enjoy the Qobuz selections on his stereo equipment.
You are such a shining example, Jessica. Your words carry a truth not found too often in today's world. My wish is that these words are read by those we elect to positions of responsibility, and they would take them to heart, and incorporate the humanity in them into everything they do. Such a better world we would all inhabit. Keep shining Jessica!
I applaud your apology; unlike most "apologies" online (sorry/notsorry) yours is sincere. I appreciate it because I had not thought about Amazon in this way before. You are, as we say in Yiddish, a real Mensch! Thank you for being such an excellent role model as well as a daily fount of essential information and direction.
It isn't just the mobility-impaired that benefit from places like Amazon, Dollar Tree/General, and other "fast commerce" stores. While each person in the disability community has their own feelings about Amazon, straws, mandatory black outs, whatever the issue de jour is, remember that there are barriers to going to a small business or hometown market that make it hard for people who are D/deaf, blind or low-vision, people who have difficulty with fine motor skills (like getting out a wallet and credit card), people with emotional and behavioral conditions, people who can't afford or access the healthcare they need to help ease their conditions so they don't get stared at or can accomplish their errand, the wide variety of mobility impairments, and many more. These people are often on limited incomes because they are retired or unable to work. When someone says they are "on disability"--also known as SSDI--the average amount someone gets "on disability is $1358 per month (2022 average). I don't know about you, but where I live, at least $800-$1000 is going to rent. $385 isn't going to go very far.
There are other communities who are demonized because of their use of Amazon or other "evil" companies. I'm not part of those communities, so I won't speak for them. We all carry various levels of visible and invisible privilege with us. Remember to be kind, always, because you never know what someone else is going through.
Thank you for taking this message with open mind and an open heart, as that is how it is offered to you.
Thanks for the apology, Jessica. While I share your view about monopolies, I have also joined the mobility-impaired group recently. Amazon has been a god-send for a wide variety of things lately, though Walmart seems to be stepping up as well. So, I'm torn at this point between need and beliefs. I guess that's just how it's going to be in many areas of our lives going forward.
This is lovely, Jessica. I hope your reader understands.
I hope they do too!
I hope the reader understood from the beginning that Jessica would not mean to offend. That there is assumption of good intent.
There are many companies that do what Amazon does, but far less now because Amazon's business model is to drive others out of business or make them advertise their products on their page for a fee. I can order groceries directly from the grocery store or order those same groceries from that store through Amazon and decrease the profit margin of the store owners so there are certainly options - same goes with clothing, home goods and a variety of accessories. So yes, Amazon is a wonderful service for folks that need things quick and easy but there are alternatives and they aren't hard to access.
Saying this as a mom of a disabled adult,
Anne
Thanks, Anne.
Thank you Jessica. I'm so glad I met you at that zoom meeting. I've been inspired to become much more involved, just attended the Democratic Convention in MA as a delegate, and met with hundreds of people who are actively engaged in protecting Democracy. It's essential that we get physically involved in actions to make people aware. Posting on social media is not going to be enough. Letters and calls to elected officials, calls to voters in swing states, visits to swing state on election days to help those folks that spend hours in line watch their children, take a bathroom break and get a snack - that's where we can really make a difference.
I've been working with the high school kids to make sure they are getting as many students as possible registered to vote. They get it. They want a survivable planet and not have their uteri monitored by the govt.
.....sorry - but the time is now....actually it was years ago....but it's never to late to start to be the change we need!
Love you!
Anne
You're amazing!
Not exactly replying to your comment, so sorry, but it made me think about writers who have used Amazon to self publish. The rules are supposed to be brutal, and I've read that writers will not receive payment [and trust me, considering the amount they were receiving, the word payment is an overstatement] if the reader purchases the book digitally and later deletes it. I believe the writer also wrote that there is no payment for skipped pages -- how that's determined is beyond me.
Yes I understand that it's terrible for authors.
I am sometimes mobility impaired, and I absolutely hate Amazon. I'm not sure why folks would conflate the real need for expansive home delivery with support for a labor-exploitative, small-business-crushing, and planet-killing company. We can need a service or company and still expect it to do better. In my view, no need to apologize.
I can't wait for the replies to my "insensitive" comment. :-)
Great newsletter, by the way!
LOL thank you. Everyone's take on this is valid and improtant. Thank you for sharing yours.
Honestly, my feeling is that both of you are accurate. I haven’t used Amazon for years. I’m glad it’s available for those who need it and I sincerely hope that others will think twice before using it.
Well said.
The amazing part of a conversation is to share your perspective, be listened to and then receive positive feedback (here an apology). Being open to feedback is indeed a learning experience that I personally know so well!
Yes, and I managed to offend quite a few people it seems--oh, dear.
One more thought: the movie Nomadland is quite different from the book by the same name. If you want to read about how Amazon treats its employees you’ll find it in the book. One example: they had an ambulance at the ready at all times for those folks who fainted from the heat in the warehouse. It was cheaper to pay for an ambulance than to put in air conditioning. If you care about workers rights you may want to look elsewhere to purchase items. If you want to purchase the book, I would suggest using Bookshop.org.
Great movie. And I LOVE bookshop.org! Abes Books is also good, as is Powells. That's one thing we can all do for sure is order books from elsewhere.
Able bodied people do have a lot to learn. But I have to say that the internet is full of businesses online that are more ethical than Amazon. I avoid buying from Amazon unless it is the only place in the world I can get something that I need a lot. They famously treat their employees deplorably. They market anything and everything, with no regard for how environmentally safe the products are. Instead of Amazon, I buy books at https://www.betterworldbooks.com/ which is a "socially responsible bookseller with cheap new and used books. There are proliferating numbers of socially responsible businesses selling green products that you can find on https://www.greenamerica.org/green-businesses-products-services, orderable with the same rapidity as you would on Amazon. The difference is that you can know that you are part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
I try to use companies like that too, and have found that Target suffices as an Amazon replacement for most things. But again, I have a different situation than many.
This is a tough issue to address.
In the real world people struggle and sometimes even fight to have their needs met, and other members of the same community can seem insensitive because those needs are "trod on" when they're specific only to one individual's situation.
Case in point: on the one hand, I want to support all attempts to maintain our rights to healthcare as women. More importantly, I want to regain rights we have lost. I've several times seen calls to end insurance coverage for and even to outlaw Viagra. I get why [other] women would feel that way: insurance picks up the cost of a drug primarily used for men's pleasure but not birth control, which not only prevents pregnancy but is used by many women for other uses like endometriosis. Ironically, despite being a woman, I also take a generic Viagra -- three times a day. It's a vasodilator, which helps with my pulmonary artery hypertension. How to support one without endangering the other? Mostly I've tried to do what I've done right here -- share information and hope we can all work toward a mutual good.
I am no fan of Amazon. Bezos made his billions on the backs of mom & pop shops by driving them out of business and on cities and states by starving them of needed tax dollars. By under-pricing, Amazon became the "go to" place to get many, many products, and today purchasing some niche item is difficult because other sellers have been driven out of business. The tax loss had impacted our social safety nets.
There is so much garbage now sold on Amazon -- translations of books that don't make sense and products so low in quality they are one use and dispose: I bought a dress for my daughter because the pattern was so lovely, but there was no way to wash it and get it clean. I saw a writer's box that was very cool looking. The prices on Amazon through multiple different sellers ranged from $10 to $200+. Reviews were universally terrible, but we don't always remember to read them. Alas.
We need to be sensitive to each others' needs when we can. We also need to be friendly advocates for ourselves when others don't realize what our needs are or how they're not being met. I'm certain Ms. Craven meant no harm and her commenter meant no foul. The nice thing about being part of communities like this one is that we really do have each others' backs.
Absolutely, and beautifully said, thanks!
One other thought on the Amazon issue.
While I agree with most all of your points, and respect you for acknowledging those of us who are impaired, Amazon does provide a huge service for small businesses who, until Amazon, were unable to reach the global market. It is very true that Amazon has been a major factor in the demise of the local bricks and mortar businesses that were the backbone of our smaller communities. This has been a significant loss to the richness of our local cultures. Having said that, there are tens, if not hundreds of thousands of businesses that Amazon has enabled.
It is easy to see the darkened storefronts. The thriving businesses that Amazon has helped are not on Main Street and thus are essentially invisible.
Very good point!
For all those writing about proper and improper language and phrasing around those individuals who may need wheelchairs, crutches and the like, to get around, I want to thank all of you for this discussion as it has caused me to stop and think about the language I use in these instances, and the assumptions I have been making about these individuals. I’ve never given this any thought before, but that is changing now thanks to you.
Wonderful!
Jess,
Just FYI, I wrote this comment to The New York Times in response to their article:
"As a Covid hermit, I rely, for health reasons, on Amazon for the bulk of what I purchase that isn't groceries (which I order online and pick up in the stores' parking lots), so I'm loathe to criticize the company that has helped keep me alive since March of 2022. But I read only in the last day or two that Amazon Prime will soon make users pay an additional $2.99 a month (above the $139 annual fee) to avoid ads during movies, etc.
In their greed, back at the end of 2022 they also ruined Amazon Music for me, making all recordings, even those I paid for years ago, play in shuffle mode, not straight through—for example, all the movements of a symphony— unless I paid an additional monthly fee for Amazon Music Unlimited. I did not pay that extra fee and simply stopped listening to Amazon Music.
Is not almost $500 billion a year in net sales (as of Q4 2022) enough for them?"
I confess to be very conflicted about buying from Amazon and don't mind your (or anyone's Amazon-bashing), but it truly has helped save my life for all non-grocery purchases I've made since March of 2020.
For music, I recommend an app called Qobuz - my husband is a classical music enthusiast and he loves it, they provide high quality audio that's difficult find elsewhere.
Good to know!
Thank you, Lorraine. I've bookmarked the site, but it costs $13/month (or a non-refundable annual subscription of $130), and I am reluctant to pay a monthly or annual fee, which is precisely why I moved away from Amazon Prime Music, thereby giving up my ability to listen to music I purchased from them in the past. I now actually find lots of good, free classical music (and jazz and other genres) on YouTube.
Indeed, there's a price to pay for the audio quality of Qobuz. Hubby has hyperacoustic hearing (I don't know if that's the correct term - he's very sensitive to sound and sound quality) & he's a hifi enthusiast. With his stereo equipment, he claims to hear a significant difference with Qobuz compared to other streaming services, but he's well aware that it isn't the case for everyone.
I'm happy that you have found something that meets your needs and didn't require a subscription. 🙂🎶
Don't get me wrong: I love good audio quality, but I content myself with free streaming. I'm glad your husband can enjoy the Qobuz selections on his stereo equipment.
You are such a shining example, Jessica. Your words carry a truth not found too often in today's world. My wish is that these words are read by those we elect to positions of responsibility, and they would take them to heart, and incorporate the humanity in them into everything they do. Such a better world we would all inhabit. Keep shining Jessica!
Very kind of you, Daniel.
I applaud your apology; unlike most "apologies" online (sorry/notsorry) yours is sincere. I appreciate it because I had not thought about Amazon in this way before. You are, as we say in Yiddish, a real Mensch! Thank you for being such an excellent role model as well as a daily fount of essential information and direction.
Thanks, Wendy. I've had a lot of practice. (;
It isn't just the mobility-impaired that benefit from places like Amazon, Dollar Tree/General, and other "fast commerce" stores. While each person in the disability community has their own feelings about Amazon, straws, mandatory black outs, whatever the issue de jour is, remember that there are barriers to going to a small business or hometown market that make it hard for people who are D/deaf, blind or low-vision, people who have difficulty with fine motor skills (like getting out a wallet and credit card), people with emotional and behavioral conditions, people who can't afford or access the healthcare they need to help ease their conditions so they don't get stared at or can accomplish their errand, the wide variety of mobility impairments, and many more. These people are often on limited incomes because they are retired or unable to work. When someone says they are "on disability"--also known as SSDI--the average amount someone gets "on disability is $1358 per month (2022 average). I don't know about you, but where I live, at least $800-$1000 is going to rent. $385 isn't going to go very far.
There are other communities who are demonized because of their use of Amazon or other "evil" companies. I'm not part of those communities, so I won't speak for them. We all carry various levels of visible and invisible privilege with us. Remember to be kind, always, because you never know what someone else is going through.
Thank you for taking this message with open mind and an open heart, as that is how it is offered to you.
Absolutely! And thank you for this comment!
Thanks for the apology, Jessica. While I share your view about monopolies, I have also joined the mobility-impaired group recently. Amazon has been a god-send for a wide variety of things lately, though Walmart seems to be stepping up as well. So, I'm torn at this point between need and beliefs. I guess that's just how it's going to be in many areas of our lives going forward.
Exactly. Thank you for your considerate response.
Kudos to you, Jessica, for acknowledging you're not perfect. Many of our legislators would do well to follow your example!