Discussion
"Prior to the 1980s, American companies built things domestically, because they risked losing control of the technology if they built things abroad using contractors. But when we tightened IP rules, and embedded those in global trade agreements, it became possible for say, Apple to make its products in China using someone else’s capital while maintaining strict control and high profit margins"
#MattStoller, 2026
https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/youll-own-nothing-and-be-happy-why
(1/2)
"And on the consumer side, as more and more things were embedded with digital technology, corporations could lock down and control the user experience. A 'capital light' model of production, and an extractive monopolistic sales and repair strategy, are key parts of the Number Go Up rule, in which America prioritizes only economic activity that supports higher equity prices. "
#MattStoller, 2026
https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/youll-own-nothing-and-be-happy-why
(2/2)
Maybe it ought to be illegal to manufacture a product *and* charge money for repairing it? Allowing warranty repairs at no charge is a no-brainer, as is (non-monopoly) supply of spare parts. But there is a perverse incentive inherent in allowing design and manufacture, *and* aftermarket repairs, to be integrated in one business.
"This John Deere case should be easy. That it’s not shows that politically and intellectually, we have still only nibbled around the edges of our core social dysfunctions. At some point, and it’ll probably be soon, there’s going to be a reckoning. This situation is not sustainable. And if something can’t go on forever, it won’t."
#MattStoller, 2026
https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/youll-own-nothing-and-be-happy-why
"Google blocked new app stores from its Android phones for years ..."
#MattStoller, 2026
https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/youll-own-nothing-and-be-happy-why
Does Matt mean the phones they made themselves, like the Nexus and the Pixel? If so, that would be news to me. It's not hard to believe, but I couldn't confirm it with a quick web search or WP spelunk.
Or is he referring to the imminent changes that will block third-party app sources on all vanilla Androids? Or, less likely, is he confusing Android with iThings?
@strypey fyi, your link is broken. I think you have a space after the www. and before the 'thebignewsletter'
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