Amazon's Workplace Atmosphere and The NYT's Expose' Article

this is not a new idea.....decades ago, this was a standard company "success mantra"....in fact, the phrase "burnout" is someone that will not put up with that kind of crap anymore....they need a different flavor of Kool-Aid to drink.

wage-slavery is not Fascism

America has been recently proven to be a fascist nation since 90% of the bills passed are what business wants, while bills that the majority of voters want don't get implemented, like GMO labeling.

Fascism is business running the state and that's what we largely have in this country.

Although I would be a hypocrite to demonize Amazon for their cut-throat management policies, I do have to point out that there is a tipping point to all this. The bar can be raised higher and higher as long as there are willing participants and there will be. What is wrong with being more efficient and avoiding emotions getting into the way of productivity. You have no place in business if you do not aspire to be a flawless bot for you business.

There is another thread up today about how an AI robot told it's creators that it will stick them in a zoo and watch them for old time sake. Why not? we are human and flawed. Even when we perform flawlessly it is only for a time and cannot be counted on. So the logical way for a business to run is to use AI and stick us in a zoo.

Oh!! we are going to draw a line? Where?

originally posted by: Reallyfolks
a reply to: Boscowashisnamo

Don't see a problem with this . As long as they are upfront about the environment. Cool. Might have jumped at something starting out. Now I look for more life/work balance. I am very up front as well these days before salary and benefits negotiation I let them know up front that health and family come first and if an issue no reason to continue. As long as everyone is upfront. Cool

They were totally up front with the demands required for tasks to be completed, and the efforts involved. They even addressed the need for a balanced work/home life, with many hours needed to be worked for specialized projects. The cut throat atmosphere developed from competition, and became an entrenched way of optimizing alpha projects. When success was met, management promoted it and the upper echelons are subject to the same dog-eat-dog work environment.

It's not a working environment for a lot of prospective hires, but shouldn't come as a surprise after orientation.

originally posted by: Rory614
a reply to: Boscowashisnamo

I'm glad your nephew can handle it! Remember - Amazon didn't get to where they are by putting up with BS and slackers.

I sell a lot of products and gifts from amazon on WowfulGifts.com... I always get excellent feedback regarding their delivery and products. I have nothing but positive things to say about amazon and their employee's!

I hope your nephews marriage and family doesn't suffer as a result of his hard work. I'm sure his hard work will be worth it in the long run.

So far he has found a balance between work and home, but it is a demanding job the higher you go up Amazon's ladder. For a non-college grad, he's made management, makes a base of 140,000/yr. with benis, stock, and full med/dental. He travels all over the globe representing Amazon, and sits through multiple weekly meetings where shortcomings are identified, and successes are scrutinized for further efficiency.

For a 29 year old man w/o a college degree, he's a success by most peoples yardstick. My only hope is he realizes his self-imposed goals without getting burned out.

a reply to: boohoo

No, it is YOUR definitions that are "out of date". Contemporary economist Parag Khanna, has redefined what "Second World" means in the current global economy

One self-promoting jet-set academic's misappropriation of a widely used term isn't enough to change its meaning.

The Second World refers to the former socialist industrial states (formally the Eastern Bloc), mostly the territory and area under the influence of the Soviet Union.

That's Wikipedia, but if you'd like a different source, just google "second world" "-war" and take your pick.

"Neo-Feudalism" IS NOT a new concept, and is indeed a REAL political practice. The concept was discussed by academics as early as 1977, with Eric Hobsbawm being one of the more notable contributors. It also wouldn't hurt for you to read works by John Gascoigne, that define Neo-Mercantilism, as well.

I think you'll find the word has a slightly earlier origin than that. However, the political state of affairs it refers to doesn't exist, and never has: it's just a term of vituperation used by left-wing intellectuals. Hobsbawm was a Marxist who, throughout his career, was consistently caught on the wrong side of history. His views and reality did not coincide. A conspiracy theorist, in fact.

Perhaps you should take some time to UPDATE your knowledge on the subject being discussed here, before making uniformed, offhand comments.

Meaning, actually, that I should take some time to OUTDATE my views by reading some of your favourite Marxist intellectuals and New Age talking heads? No thanks — I went through all that much earlier in life.

You may have been born and raised in Southeast Asia, but based on your past ATS posts, I don't believe for ONE MINUTE that you have not lived in the United States for any length of time or do not currently live here and have assimilated into the current Fascist culture.

I didn't say Southeast Asia, I said South Asia. Different regions. If this is the degree of attention you pay to what you're reading, small wonder you seem to have grasped the wrong ends of so many sticks.

Concerning my country of residence, I just love the way you're so confident in your ignorance that you're actually ready to re-state your charge without a shred of confirmatory evidence. Take a look here, and particularly at this post from May 2008. Do you think I've been lying to ATS for ten years?

*

CB328, Fascism isn't just any old authoritarianism. Fascism is very special: the belief that the advance of humanity, or some particular segment of it, can be achieved through eugenic purification and the creation of a supportive social environment. Business certainly doesn't run the state in a Fascist society; it's very much the other way round.

a reply to: Boscowashisnamo

Here's a relevant top 10 from Listverse (sources embedded) - some truly disgraceful stuff (but I suppose it will be commonplace in a few generations).



10 Companies That Treat Their Employees Even Worse Than Amazon

originally posted by: Astyanax
CB328, Fascism isn't just any old authoritarianism. Fascism is very special: the belief that the advance of humanity, or some particular segment of it, can be achieved through eugenic purification and the creation of a supportive social environment. Business certainly doesn't run the state in a Fascist society; it's very much the other way round.

Wrong again, not even remotely within the ballpark of the definition of Fascism. Fascism took MANY different forms throughout Europe during the period of 1914-1945 and is not limited to the goal of "eugenic purification". Also you say "Business certainly doesn't run the state in a Fascist society; it's very much the other way round", what CONTEMPORARY theory and accompanying theorist/academic are you referencing?

The book "Fascism: Comparison and Definition" by Stanley G. Payne is good beginner primer, I strongly suggest that you familiarize yourself with it, so you can become more informed on the topic, for use in future discussions.

originally posted by: Astyanax

The Second World refers to the former socialist industrial states (formally the Eastern Bloc), mostly the territory and area under the influence of the Soviet Union.

That's Wikipedia, but if you'd like a different source, just google "second world" "-war" and take your pick.

A Wikipedia entry DOES NOT trump any of the real academics that I referenced (make note, the Wikipedia entry for "2nd World" only references two UNDERGRADUATE text books both published almost a decade ago). Plus, the Wikipedia entry supports what I have said anyway "although it is still used to describe countries that are in between poverty and prosperity, many of which are now capitalist states. Subsequently, the actual meaning of the terms "First World", "Second World" and "Third World" changed from being based on political ideology to an economic definition"

Also, I can add MANY more names of leading policy makers and think-tank academics that agree with my position, including what people like you, call "political moderates". But as most "apologists" do these days, you will simply label them "left-wing" or "Marxists", as if, any of those divisive "labels" has any bearing on the Fascist reality that all working people face today.

Also note, Parag Khanna, is no flash-in-the-pan. He has a VERY high Impact Factor for someone whom has made a career primarily in think-tanks and not in the usual arena of published, tenured, faculty member. In fact, his think-tank experience makes him more qualified on the topic than most tenured academics, due to the types of clients think-tanks serve and the proprietary data they provide for think-tank researchers to work from. His book titled "The Second World: How Emerging Powers Are Redefining Global Competition in the Twenty-first Century", is FILLED with academic references spanning the full political spectrum. To belittle his body work, with little knowledge of the source material, by a laymen, such as yourself, is just mind-boggling obtuse.

originally posted by: Astyanax
I think you'll find the word has a slightly earlier origin than that. However, the political state of affairs it refers to doesn't exist, and never has: it's just a term of vituperation used by left-wing intellectuals. Hobsbawm was a Marxist who, throughout his career, was consistently caught on the wrong side of history. His views and reality did not coincide. A conspiracy theorist, in fact.

You're right the former president of Birkbeck, University of London was a "conspiracy theorists", I'm sure that College's Board of Trustees had NO IDEA what they were doing when they decided to appoint him to manage the day-to-day operations of the institution. Hobsbawm is also a recipient of the Balzan Prize (which includes a cash prize worth approximately $790,000 USD). So, along the same linea of thought, that body of academics were deluded as well, by giving that much money and a prestigious award to nothing more than a cooky "conspiracy theorists".

Also, I am sure you are aware that Hobsbawm LIVED THROUGH the Rise of the Third Reich, while attending the Prinz Heinrich-Gymnasium in Berlin? Note, he also served in the Royal Engineers during WWII. So, based on that, you would think, that someone with those experiences should have an opinion that mattered on the subject at hand (i.e. the rise of Fascism, Feudalism, etc. in the 20th century).

But hey, what does someone whom experienced Fascism, FIRST HAND, know about the topic anyway?

Also I don't doubt that you have "experience" living in Asia and were possibly born there, however, based on your past responses here on ATS, your positions on politics and culture are firmly American in tone. Perhaps you grew up on an American military installation, I can't be sure. But I am certain your stances are FAR more "American" in nature than you are letting on.

But, good attempt at hiding the contemporary realities of Neo-Fascism, Neo-Mercatilism and Neo-Feudalism from the masses. Hopefully people can see that you are shill attempting to prop up the status-quo.

originally posted by: Astyanax
I didn't say Southeast Asia, I said South Asia. Different regions. If this is the degree of attention you pay to what you're reading, small wonder you seem to have grasped the wrong ends of so many sticks.

So, I am not allowed to have a typo in my responses, due to overzealous auto-fill, while typing out replies on a cell phone? Thanks for the hot tip, maybe one day I can be a "thumb typing super-hero" like you too?

a reply to: boohoo

Your pal Stan Payne agrees with my definition of Fascism. See here.

Yes, the head of a London University College was a conspiracy theorist. So was George Orwell. Get over it.

And now, that's that. If you expect a detailed reply to your tiresome prattle, you're going to be disappointed.

You're off-topic for the thread anyway.

they are a huge company today and probably try a lot of new 'employee training' ideas to get everyone on-board on-message and on the same page regarding the Company's newly determined future goals and sales/marketing ideas, this more likely in 'corporate' offices not the warehouse where the workers complain of near 'slave labor' conditions.

a reply to: boohoo

Your completely right.

American business is 100% about getting rich Nd nothin else.

originally posted by: Astyanax
a reply to: boohoo

Your pal Stan Payne agrees with my definition of Fascism. See here.

Yes, the head of a London University College was a conspiracy theorist. So was George Orwell. Get over it.

And now, that's that. If you expect a detailed reply to your tiresome prattle, you're going to be disappointed.

You're off-topic for the thread anyway.

Um...No, he doesn't, what YOU HAVE REFERENCED is an "anonymous" Wikipedia editor summarizing small portions of the COMPLETE BODY OF WORK done by Stanley G Payne. Do you even have access to the COMPLETE works I have been referencing in my posts? I strongly suggets that you start making you own citations from the SOURCE MATERIAL, that's IF, you even know how.

To recap, what you have posted is a simple laundry list of excerpts, posted on Wikipedia, by someone OTHER than Stanley G Payne. What kind of education did you receive? I hope you are aware that a summarized Wikipedia entry does not constitute a valid counter argument to ANY my points?

Also, you do realize that University Trustees have to appoint people to top leadership positions whom can keep the institution solvent, at the bare minimum? So, despite his political leanings, Hobsbawm was able to keep the doors open and increase enrollment during his tenure as President of the University. That's certainly better than an armchair-Fascist, with a layman's understanding of business operations could muster up under the same circumstances.

Also, what uneducated buffoon gave you a thumbs up for your last post?

originally posted by: onequestion
a reply to: boohoo

Your completely right.

American business is 100% about getting rich Nd nothin else.

The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith, is perhaps the most damning text ever written against Labor . All laborers, even those running small businesses and independent contractors, ALL suffer today because of people like Jeff Bezos worshiping the tenents of that text. But "Robber Barron apologists" like Astyanax blindly continue to support the "Owners of Capital" regardless of the outcomes.

However, for those whom do not agree, GIVE NO QUARTER to those like Astyanax because they are like those Germans whom "informed the SS" on perceived wrongdoings being done by their unsuspecting neighbors. Those "informant sheep" sent their fellow human beings to their death and then slept well at night believing they were "Good Germans". These people can not be saved, they are the enemy. Identify them, oppose their positions and stand firm, ALWAYS, against their belief in Fascist policies. Don't let them get away with it, FIGHT BACK!

a reply to: boohoo

So, I am not allowed to have a typo in my responses, due to overzealous auto-fill, while typing out replies on a cell phone?

Was 'barron' also a mobile phone typo, then?

How about 'tenents'?

And while we're on the subject of spelling, take a look at mine. You'll notice that (unlike you), I spell 'labour' with a U, 'grey' with an E, 'aluminium' with two I's, and so on. You'll find that I have done so with absolute consistency in every ATS post I have ever indited. You will also note that I favour single, not double quotation marks. I trust you are capable of appreciating the significance of these data.

As for the 'uneducated buffoon' who starred my post, I expect it was another ATS member whom you have reduced to awestruck admiration with your towering intellect.

originally posted by: Astyanax
a reply to: boohoo

So, I am not allowed to have a typo in my responses, due to overzealous auto-fill, while typing out replies on a cell phone?

Was 'barron' also a mobile phone typo, then?

How about 'tenents'?

And while we're on the subject of spelling, take a look at mine. You'll notice that (unlike you), I spell 'labour' with a U, 'grey' with an E, 'aluminium' with two I's, and so on. You'll find that I have done so with absolute consistency in every ATS post I have ever indited. You will also note that I favour single, not double quotation marks. I trust you are capable of appreciating the significance of these data.

As for the 'uneducated buffoon' who starred my post, I expect it was another ATS member whom you have reduced to awestruck admiration with your towering intellect.

Funny how you get +stars for slinging mud, as opposed to, coherently addressing the short comings of your deficient rebuttals.

Yes, it seems you expect me to be a Super-hero, like yourself, using my thumbs to PERFECTLY type out responses, while on the go, typo-free.

Here are some articles to update you dinosaurs on the side effects of current Predictive Typing Technology:

The Cupertino effect is an erroneous suggestion or replacement by a spellchecker, auto-correct program or smartphone predictive text feature.

The 50 Funniest Auto-Correct Fails

Is this really the BEST you can do? Address the rebuttals I have made at hand. However, don't be too quick to pat yourself on the back because that armchair-fascist cheering section, rooting you on, is merely a illusion fueled by propagandists.

Ever heard of Integrated Definitions or Autonomous Definitions? My usage is mostly correct, considering that I an responding on a smartphone without a traditional keyboard:

Revisiting Use of Quotation Marks When Creating Defined Terms

Again, review the content I have provided and teach yourself something new, based on the information I have provided for you to study. If you don't have access to REAL academics works and journals, work on a way get access, because citing Wikipedia articles, AP news briefs and blog posts isn't going to cut it. If you and others like yourself can't handle that challenge, simply admit defeat and move on.

I have made my points clear, people can decide for themselves how much of it they agree or disagree with, while you on the other hand have proven yourself to be nothing more than a second rate, Fascist Sympathizer, with a built in cheering section.

In another ATS thread John_Rodger_Cornman posted the following:

How bad does it have to get until people wake the hell up?

originally posted by: John_Rodger_Cornman
How bad does it have to get until people wake the hell up?

Troops on the streets? Civilian internment camps for "political dissidents" and "extremist groups"? Black site reeducation dungeons? Bank holidays? Bank haircuts(open blatant theft)? Wesley Clark's precrime system?

What will it take for people to wake up and get out of the corporate owned two-party dictatorship?

Guess what Astyanax wrote in response?

originally posted by: Astyanax
Wake up and do what, exactly?

THIS IS THE RESPONSE OF A FASCIST SYMPATHIZER!

GIVE NO QUARTER to those like Astyanax because they are like those Germans whom Informed the SS on perceived wrongdoings being done by their unsuspecting neighbors. Those Informant Sheep sent their fellow human beings to their death and then slept well at night believing they were Good Germans. These people can not be saved, they are the enemy. Identify them, oppose their positions and standing firm against their counter influence. ALWAYS fight HARD against their belief in Fascist policies and NEVER let up. Don't let them get away with ANY of it, keep FIGHTING BACK!

For those who TRULY care about opposing Fascism, Mercantilism and Feudalism, here is an article outlining all of what I have said in more detail:

Have The American People Accepted Corporate State Fascism? by Ray Pensador

a reply to: boohoo

Yes, it seems you expect me to be a Super-hero, like yourself, using my thumbs to PERFECTLY type out responses, while on the go, typo-free.

Those weren't typos. Pull the other one.

that armchair-fascist cheering section, rooting you on, is merely a illusion fueled by propagandists.

Are you suggesting that they were paid to star my posts? Calling ATS members paid propagandists is a banning offence on this site. Better hope someone doesn't report you.

If you don't have access to REAL academics works and journals, work on a way get access, because citing Wikipedia articles, AP news briefs and blog posts isn't going to cut it.

Do you imagine that I am arguing with you? You are much mistaken. I am merely setting you straight. Show some appreciation, will you? Not everyone would take the trouble.

you on the other hand have proven yourself to be nothing more than a second rate, Fascist Sympathizer, with a built in cheering section.

There you go again...

THIS IS THE RESPONSE OF A FASCIST SYMPATHIZER!

...and again. Why 'sympathizer'? Call me a Fascist outright, and be done with it.

originally posted by: Astyanax
Those weren't typos.

Are you suggesting that they were paid to star my posts? Calling ATS members paid propagandists is a banning offence on this site. Better hope someone doesn't report you.

Do you imagine that I am arguing with you? You are much mistaken. I am merely setting you straight. Show some appreciation, will you? Not everyone would take the trouble.

...and again. Why 'sympathizer'? Call me a Fascist outright, and be done with it.

AGAIN, my usage is mostly correct, considering that I an responding on a smartphone without a traditional keyboard. We are not editing a nationally circulated, magazine article, that is going to be put into print and sold for profit. Therefore, AS IT SHOULD BE, the editing/typo bar IS LOW in this situation. How about you try engaging in the discussion based on the points I made OR would you rather keep being a living, unpaid, editor and spellchecker?

Now to your other point, High School Athletes have UNPAID Cheer Sections too, are they or are they not, a type of Propagandist?

Not to confuse you more than I already have, but there is also Post-Fascist and Neo-Fascist movements. At first I thought you had enough education to discuss the topic on that level, but you have proven otherwise, so I will not even begin that discussion. But back to your above comment, you were making a weak attempt to make a counter others arguments by citing UNSUPPORTED Wikipedia articles edited by unpaid kids, living in their parents basement. So, typically if someone reply's in the fashion, that you have, on a public forum, in response to a previous post, it does usually mean a consenting argument is occurring or about to occur.

However, it is obvious that you are merely trying to disrupt the discussion, in order to incite a a mud slinging contest, taking the focus away from a discussion on Fascist, Mercantilist and Feudalistic business practices and public policy, AS PRACTICED, in the USA. You have yet to coherently address the short comings of your deficient rebuttals. If you and others like yourself can't handle that challenge, simply admit defeat and move on. But you won't admit defeat because your unstated goal is to move the focus of the conversation away from Fascism, Mercantilism and Feudalism and their effects on wage-slaves.

Also note, Sympathizers are not always fully committed Fascists because they will shift positions aligning with the dominant culture around them, as needed, to personally get ahead. Most of these types only become Real Fascists, IF, they have a chance to gain power, by fully committing (a well known historical example of this is the Jüdischer Ordnungsdienst). I am assuming that you have not had an opportunity to fully commit yet and therefore, in my mind, are just a Sympathizers at this time, until of course, something better comes along that justifies fully committing to Fascism.

So to get back on the topic that I have been discussing, the USA, AS A WHOLE, has more qualities aligning with Neo-Mercantilism, Neo-Feudalism and Fascism, than it does socialism or social democracy, as practiced in Europe. The USA has far more in common with countries like China or India, when it comes to business practices and economic policy, as opposed to countries like Germany or Switzerland. Hence, my statement, that the USA is now nothing more than a 2nd world country today. The REAL first World, TODAY, has countries displaying qualities most like Germany and Switzerland, not the USA.

a reply to: boohoo

there is also Post-Fascist and Neo-Fascist movements.

Another typo?

originally posted by: Astyanax
a reply to: boohoo

there is also Post-Fascist and Neo-Fascist movements.

Another typo?

Still trying to deflect...

When did you go to school, in 1940?

When was the last academic text you read, on Fascism, published, in 1970?

These are REAL academic designations, open a contemporary text on the subject criminy's sake.

Interregnum or endgame? The radical right in the ‘post-fascist’ era

So to get back on the topic that I have been discussing, the USA, AS A WHOLE, has more qualities aligning with Neo-Mercantilism, Neo-Feudalism and Fascism, than it does socialism or social democracy, as practiced in Europe. The USA has far more in common with countries like China or India, when it comes to business practices and economic policy, as opposed to countries like Germany or Switzerland. Hence, my statement, that the USA is now nothing more than a 2nd world country today. The REAL first World, TODAY, has countries displaying qualities most like Germany and Switzerland, not the USA.

Bickering...and other off-topic derailings......STOP NOW!!!!!


You are responsible for your own posts.
After this reminder, post removals and possible temporary posting bans can follow.


and, as always:

Do NOT reply to this post!!

originally posted by: Boscowashisnamo

“If you’re a good Amazonian, you become an Amabot,” said one employee, using a term that means you have become at one with the system."

"but to thrive and advance you must live it, breath it, be it."

The two above quotes are STRAIGHT from the Original Post. Are these concepts, not, Fascist in nature?

"Amabots" are selected and promoted using methods developed by Benito Mussolini to indoctrinate Fascist Party members of all levels.

"suppressing the instinct for a life enclosed within the brief round of pleasure in order to restore within duty a higher life free from the limits of time and space; a life in which the individual, through the denial of himself, through the sacrifice of his own private interests, through death itself, realizes that completely spiritual existence in which his value as a man lies"
-- Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)