Thursday, May 21, 2015

WHERE IS JEFF BEZOS HEADING?

I like Jeff Bezos. The story of how he happened to create Amazon inspires me.

Also, my novels are sold on Amazon -- I even have an author's page, but what I love is Bezos' store -- it's where I shop for just about everything.

Actually, I've noticed there's less stuff on Amazon lately, higher prices, and usually a shipping charge -- much less "free" shipping lately. Also, if you're trying to publish an e-book, Amazon no longer offers the best deal -- you ought to Google and see what Hachette (new, big rival) and other publishers are offering nowadays.

I think Jeff B. has his mind on something else. Why did he buy the Washington Post last year for $250 million? Why has he been supporting the 10,000 year clock? He's spent $42 million on it.

That 10,000 year clock was created by the "Long Now Foundation," and on its website, Bezos wrote: "We humans have become so technologically sophisticated that in certain ways we're dangerous to ourselves. It's going to be increasingly important over time, for humanity to take a longer-term view of its future."

Clearly the future fascinates Jeff B. Back in 2006, he created a space-exploration startup, "Blue Origin," that teamed up with Boeing, the big airline guys, and they have been working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, (NASA), to develop a new rocket engine; also, to ferry astronauts to and from the international space station. Also, "Blue Origin" has purchased a sizable plot of land in west Texas for a launch and test facility.

Does it relate to Amazon's $2 billion investment in India? In 2013, after many years of work, India got its satellite launch vehicle, "Mangalyhaan," orbiting Mars. Bezos has said that he wants what India did to be taught and shared with other countries, so that other countries can do the same thing.

Whatever Bezos is doing, other top CEO's jump on the bandwagon. Here he is visiting a fashion show, telling folks how important fashion is, in our ever expanding future.
Hey, eight years ago, when Bezos started "Blue Origin," his news releases said it was founded to develop space hotels, amusement parks, colonies and small cities for the two or three million people who will someday be orbiting the Earth.

Whoa, wow! Is this bold, brave, brilliant, business man/salesman/seer planning what we're going to need when we're heading for Mars? Planning what we'll want to buy at the "MarsAma" superstore he opens on Mars?

I haven't bought a ticket, signed up, or enrolled yet, but I think that's what Jeff Bezos is doing.

2 comments:

Carola said...

I like and depend on Amazon--especially valuable for drugstore type items that aren't available in my hometown (e.g. fragrance free soaps, etc.). But I'm glad Bezos is focusing on other things before Amazon takes over the retailing world completely.

Linda Phillips said...

Like you, I buy almost everything on Amazon. I have Amazon Prime and it more than pays for itself. Nearly everything I buy is shipped for free and arrives within a day or two.

The reason that there are far fewer books is because Bezos refuses to carry any books published by Hatchett. And authors who are published by Hatchett refuse to be on Amazon. I think I got that right, but in any event, you will not find any Hatchett books on Amazon.