Reuters Econ World Is Big Tech too big to slow down?
Jan 14, 2026
Tim Wu, a law professor and anti-trust scholar, dives deep into the implications of Big Tech's dominance in the economy. He discusses the shift in Silicon Valley from innovation to a profit-driven focus, highlighting how major players like Google and Amazon create monopolies that harm consumers. Wu explores the potential risks of concentrated tech power, including stagnation and social unrest. He proposes stronger antitrust measures and compares the U.S. and China’s strategies in the tech race, nudging listeners to consider the future of AI in this dynamic landscape.
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Monopoly As Lack Of Market Discipline
- Monopolies are best defined by a firm's lack of meaningful discipline from competitors.
- Tim Wu warns that dominant firms can price, bully, and act without significant challenge, driving stagnation.
Power Comes From Being The Platform
- Platform power arises from hosting and connecting large groups of users and sellers on both sides.
- Tim Wu argues platforms capture value by controlling ecosystems and becoming the key interconnector.
Platforms Captured The Middleman's Rent
- The internet's promise to enrich small sellers was partially betrayed by platforms.
- Tim Wu says middlemen captured most proceeds once platforms controlled both buyers and sellers.
