The Challenge of Amazon and the Workforce Crisis?

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Amazon has been in such high growth mod for so long that the people in charge, whether it was a conscious decision not, have been like, ok, if were going to make this business big and profitable, this is the pace of work that we need to set. And i think the challenge that amazon has now is they're bigger, they are more mature. There's more scrutiny, but just as importantly, the labor market is starting to do its job. Economics is working in that, um, there are so many fulfilment centers. Every one does now, because it's a labor shortage, especially for blue collar workers,. That ou no raising wages is no longer enough.

As the holidays approach, we are being reminded of the fragility of the global supply chain. But at the same time, the supply chain itself is a truly impressive and fascinating structure, made as it is from multiple components that must work together in synchrony. From building an item in a factory and shipping it worldwide to transporting it locally, processing it in a distribution center, and finally delivering it to an address, the system is simultaneously awe-inspiring and deeply dehumanizing. I talk with Christopher Mims about how things are made, how they get to us, and what it all means for the present and future of our work and our lives.

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Christopher Mims received a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory University. He is currently a technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal. He has previously written for publications such as Wired, Scientific American, The Atlantic, and Smithsonian. His new book is Arriving Today: From Factory to Front Door — Why Everything Has Changed About How and What We Buy.

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