Tim Wu

Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu, an expert on technology and media, dives into his book, The Age of Extraction. He details Amazon's transition from a marketplace to an overpowering extractor of fees, highlighting the troubling distinction between normal platform fees and monopolistic charges. Wu discusses how convenience strengthens platform power, equating it to user coercion. He proposes treating platforms like utilities with neutral rules and emphasizes the need for anti-monopoly measures to foster competition, aiming for a fairer digital landscape.

Tim Wu, a law professor and author of The Age of Extraction, joins to discuss the rise of America's tech giants and the antitrust battles that shaped them. He examines the historical roots of antitrust law, from Teddy Roosevelt's early trust-busting to today’s challenges with monopolies like Amazon. Wu highlights how tech companies use tactics like sponsored listings to extract revenue while stifling competition. The conversation also touches on AI's role in reinforcing market power and the need for a competitive landscape to foster innovation.

Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia and former tech advisor to the Biden administration, sheds light on the dark side of the internet in his discussion on tech monopolies. He highlights how companies like Amazon and Google extract wealth and data while undermining democracy. Wu questions the government's role and suggests that younger generations are increasingly aware and critical of this extraction. He advocates for collective action and legislative reform, comparing tech platforms to utilities while warning about the political power imbalances they create.