Tech’s broken promises: Streaming is now just as expensive and confusing as cable. Ubers cost as much as taxis. And the cloud is no longer cheap::Some tech is getting pricier and looking a lot like the older services it was supposed to beat. From video streaming to ride-hailing and cloud computing.

  • SCB@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Remember that even in a system in which workers own companies, those workers still want to make more money

    A profit motive is not unique to nor a product of capitalism.

    • qyron@sopuli.xyz
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      1 year ago

      Not making any profit does not imply running for losses.

      Many companies can run for minimal margins, ensuring they can pay staff, stock and services.

      Profit is what is left on the table after every expense is paid, including salaries, which usually doesn’t reach the workers pockets.

      • SCB@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        No but companies raising prices to make more money is absolutely related to making profit, and a worker-owned company still has a profit motive.

        Companies being able to run at a loss is a feature of capitalism, not a bug. Most small businesses do not turn a profit for two to three years.

        • qyron@sopuli.xyz
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          1 year ago

          If a company sets its mark at not making profit, it does not mean it runs at a loss.

          Was I unclear?

          Profit is what is left after all expenses are paid, including salaries, and a company can run with a non profit objective and still create jobs with fair salaries.

          Profit is the end goal for the so called investors that have no real involvement in the day to day operations of companies and demand quarterly reports with ever increasing revenue.

          If a company makes enough money to pay salaries, replenish stocks and/or provide ita services and pay its daily and monthly expenses it is not running on a loss. Profit is not a requirement for a business.

          • SCB@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I am aware that non-profits exist as a concept, but that’s irrelevant to what we are discussing which is how profitability and viability are not necessarily linked

    • Ann Archy@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Those workers still want to live. The money is the means- controlled by those with the most money.

      Capitalism and democracy as exclusive concepts.

      • SCB@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        None of this makes any sense, both on its face and as a response to my comment

        • Ann Archy@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Bold deconstruction of the argument. Capitalism didn’t invent iPhones, workers did. There are economic systems other than capitalism, that can do better, without the unilateral domination of capital.