Friday 20 July 2018

How to control Tech Oligopolies

A new effort has not be made to control the power of the FAANG oligopolies. Similar to the Trust-busting period of the early 1900's. These firms provide products that are superior but the nature of this new wave of technology leads to a winner-takes-all situation and dominance by the market leader. So let's look at the major players one by one:

Google - should not be allowed to favor paid ads, no collecting of individual search histories, full publication of search 'algorithm', no cross-selling of other Google products

Amazon - break up the hybrid model, sell own products or third party products

Apple - do not allow exclusive App store, Pay system

Facebook - do not allow collecting and use of search histories

Netflix - do not allow mix of platform and own production (Film studies had to divest cinemas in the USA)

Microsoft - end the copyright protection, long overdue

Tuesday 17 July 2018

Carbon Trading - bureaucratic nightmare and fraudster's paradise

Whoever thought up the crazy idea of carbon trading is a card-carrying member of the bureaucratic, undemocratic and technocratic 'elite' that rules over us. Some 'academics' are always happy to support new schemes (think Tobin Tax) and cosy up to their political paymasters. A naive press also toes the official line in most instances.
But we have a long-established 'Carbon Tax' - it is levied in nearly all countries on the use of petrol and could easily extended to any oil and coal use. And it is not obvious why air transport, shipping and agriculture should be treated leniently. Or the heavy industry which gets also treated with kid's gloves in many countries.
Carbon tax an unwanted gift?