Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss changes to Delta Sky Miles, the FTC lawsuit against Amazon, and the pros and cons of LinkedIn. They also touch on elitism, sponsor ads, and California's minimum wage law for fast food workers.
The value of airline mileage programs now exceeds the value of the airlines themselves due to a surge in people seeking airline perks post-COVID.
The FTC's lawsuit against Amazon aims to address its anti-competitive behaviors and restrictiveness on sellers, potentially leading to remedies like unbundling Amazon Prime.
LinkedIn is experiencing a change in user behavior, with an increase in personal sharing and self-promotion, raising questions about the evolving etiquette and purpose of the platform.
Deep dives
The Plight of Frequent Travelers and the Changing Landscape of Airline Status
The number of people with access to lounges and seeking airline perks has dramatically increased post-COVID. Delta CEO acknowledged the challenges of offering exclusive benefits in an environment where everyone has status. The value of airline mileage programs now far exceeds the value of the airlines themselves.
FTC Files Lawsuit Against Amazon for Anti-Competitive Practices
The FTC alleges Amazon engages in anti-competitive behaviors, making the online superstore market less competitive and raising prices for consumers. Amazon's domination in both online superstores and marketplaces creates two monopolies. The lawsuit aims to address Amazon's restrictive requirements on sellers and calls for potential remedies such as unbundling Amazon Prime.
LinkedIn's Growing Popularity and Change in User Behavior
LinkedIn is experiencing a change in user behavior, with an increase in personal sharing, oversharing, and the emergence of "shitposting." Some individuals are using LinkedIn as a platform for news commentary, while others are sharing personal anecdotes and engaging in self-promotion. The platform's growing popularity prompts questions about the evolving etiquette and purpose of LinkedIn.
The $500 Adidas Sneakers Designed for One Marathon
Adidas released the Adizero Adios Pro Evo One Sneakers, priced at $500, which are specially designed for speed and optimized for a single marathon. These sneakers last for one race, targeting professional runners who prioritize performance over durability. They highlight the ongoing trend of developing footwear with cutting-edge technology and race-specific design.
California Raises Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers
Governor of California signs a new minimum wage law for fast food workers, guaranteeing a $20 per hour wage starting in April. This change will benefit hundreds of thousands of fast food workers in the state and is a result of negotiations between the service employees international union (SEIU) and the fast food industry.
Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are the two-percent! Well, not Emily, to be clear. They dig into what’s going on with all the changes to Delta Sky Miles, the newest lawsuit by the FTC against Amazon, and why LinkedIn is and is not the worst.
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