[FRIAM] Fire Stick

[uǝlƃ ☣]

Because this forum is supposed to be about complexity in some sense, I'll posit that the only reason Amazon doesn't suck (now) is because there is a diversity of providers.  If we all choose as you have, and centralize into a monopoly, then Amazon will (soon) suck.

But more practically, Amazon Video totally sucks at recommending movies or shows that I will like.  Netflix does a much better job.  The other providers don't do it at all. (Well, maybe Hulu does, but they objected to me running a Tor node, so fsck them.) And Bandcamp and Spotify trounce Amazon digital music.  My guess is that you're, like most of us, following the gradient of adequacy.  Amazon is adequate at *everything*, which makes them a safe bet for any arbitrary thing.  It's no small feat.  It's superceded Walmart.  It's superceding high-end posers like Whole Foods.  Etc.  So, if you enjoy the convenience of buying your motor oil in the same place as your lettuce, then more power to you.  I admit that when Renee' goes on a trip with me, it's better to stay at a chain hotel like Holiday Inn than it is to seek out interesting places.  She's not as fond of diversity as I am. 8^)  The risk is not worth the reward.

It's a shame we *wait* until the monopoly obtains before we begin to mitigate its mediocrity.


On 03/01/2018 10:03 AM, Owen Densmore wrote:
> So we just got an ad about an Amazon Fire TV Stick sale ($30) and decided to get one to see how they work.
> 
> But why? My TiVo gives me access to all those provider apps (Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, NBC ...). 
> 
> Well, basically because the providers basically suck.
> 
> The case in point for me is Netflix. I once looked at basically 6 of their shows regularly. But then Netflix started to drop them. Yes, yes I'm sure there are good reasons, mainly licensing. But now I only use it for one show that they still have because they produce it. Longmire.
> 
> Because I have a TiVo, I can generally record things easily, but I often get interested in shows after they've been around for a while. I just fit into a Category that may be too small.
> 
> So we started just subscribing to series on Amazon. Several are free due to being on "Prime Video".  Amazon does not suck. It really wants to sell me stuff and does not cancel shows/movies.
> 
> All this is to say that I think Amazon, once again, is like the Turtle: slow but steady and will win the race.


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