We live in a time when we have everything, but we are trapped in a life of nothing

If you fail to do so, you will be docked or even fired.

Too harsh a condition? Better keep your job, there may not be such a good job in the future

Amazon has already deployed 200,000 robots around the world to pick and move goods.

In 2018, during the busiest holiday season, Amazon hired 20,000 fewer people in its warehouses than in previous years.

In response to the public's concerns, the head of Amazon responded with ease: Don't worry, if the robot takes your job, you can also become a robot repairman.

But will we need that many repairmen in the future? How many people can become maintenance engineers?

A handling robot inside an Amazon factory

02 Empire of Power

These companies have too much power, and that power must be reined in and subject to proper regulation and enforcement. Our economy and democracy are under threat.

- House Subcommittee Democratic Antitrust Report

You could also lose your life inside an Amazon factory.

And your life may not be worth anything.

In 2017, a 59-year-old worker in an Amazon warehouse was crushed to death by a forklift in overhead maintenance.

It wasn't discovered until two hours later.

After the accident, local Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector John Stallone stepped in to investigate and decided to subpoena Amazon's relevant officials.

He then accused Amazon of four security violations at its warehouses, issuing a $28,000 fine.

Soon the head of the authority tipped off Amazon and approached John: "We have to tamper with your subpoena to Amazon."

Governor Eric Holcomb also weighed in, suggesting he would influence future partnerships between the state and Amazon.

A year after the worker's death, the state and Amazon finally reached an agreement that omitted fines and citations. The only price Amazon paid was a $1,000 campaign contribution to Governor Holcomb.

After developing into a giant company, Amazon's tentacles are not only in the economic market, but also into the political field.

Since 2016, Bezos has spent more time in Washington, DC.

He bought property and hosted parties in the neighborhood with the Obamas and Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump.

He bought the Washington Post, one of the most politically influential newspapers in the United States, and once exposed the "Watergate scandal" that brought down Nixon - now the newspaper belongs to Bezos, and will greatly enhance his image in Washington.

A satirical cartoon showing Bezos's influence in Washington

But even more important is Amazon's lobbying power in Washington.

According to McGillis, Amazon increased its spending on political lobbying fivefold from 2012 to 2017.

Until 2018, Amazon had the largest lobbying office in Washington of any tech company.

These lobbyists will clear policy hurdles for Amazon

They lobbied the postal Service to keep giving Amazon discounted shipping rates;

They lobbied for government purchase orders for all federal agencies;

They lobbied against regulations on drones in order to use them to deliver packages;

They lobbied for excise taxes so that third-party sellers, who make up half the retail business, do not pay taxes;

They lobbied against all antitrust investigations against Amazon.

Amazon's financial power not only influences decision-making in Washington, DC, but in cities and towns.

After winning a $600 million cloud contract from the CIA in 2013, Amazon built a 500,000-square-foot data center near the town of Haymarket.

Amazon had one more requirement: a power line.

The power project, which will be funded by the government for $65 million, will run through the homes of thousands of residents and the Crescent Protected area to protect the local environment, water supply and character.

"This is not a fight about power lines and data centers," said one resident at the protest. "The real reason is that we as a community are subsidizing a company like Amazon."

"Who doesn't love Amazon? Everyone loves Amazon until it destroys your community."

Amazon's single cloud data center uses enough power to power 5,000 homes

03 Our future

We are neighbors, workers, producers, taxpayers and citizens, and "one-click orders" cannot meet our needs and aspirations.

-- Mike Tucker

Head of the Association of Independent Office Products and Furniture Dealers

After the rise of Amazon, brick-and-mortar retail in the United States began to struggle, with nearly 7,000 stores closing in 2017 alone, more than double the previous year.

Along with the real economy, there are thousands of jobs that support small towns

Macy's alone has laid off more than 50,000 employees since 2008.

Of course, Amazon itself is creating jobs - if you can tolerate harsh working conditions.

Mike Tucker, director of the Independent Office Supplies Association, also pointed out that for every job Amazon creates, two brick-and-mortar retailer employees lose their jobs.

Brick-and-mortar retailers that went bankrupt between 2015 and 2018

It's not just the shops and the jobs that are lost, it's the sense of connection.

In early 2018, the 120-year-old Bongton Department store declared bankruptcy. The 262 stores gradually closed, but many employees stayed until the last minute.