TRAILER Foundering: The Amazon Story

02/17/22 • 2 min

2 Listeners

This season of Foundering reexamines a foundational story of the internet age: the rise of Amazon and its ingenious founder Jeff Bezos. Over the last 20 years, Amazon has changed the way we shop, what we watch on TV, how we interact with our devices and how businesses consume computing resources. But is Amazon now too powerful—and unaccountable? And how did Bezos, once widely admired, turn into a controversial figure of unfathomable wealth, whose personal pursuits are avidly covered by the tabloids? Following his best-selling book “Amazon Unbound,” Brad Stone continues his exploration of Amazon and its founder, presenting an unvarnished picture of a company that spans the globe and touches nearly every aspect of our lives—for better or worse.

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Foundering - TRAILER Foundering: The Amazon Story

Transcript Summary

In the episode titled "Foundering: The Amazon Story," the podcast delves into Amazon's relentless pursuit of dominance and the personal transformation of its founder, Jeff Bezos. The episode highlights how Bezos aimed to position Amazon as a trailblazer in innovation and invention, as evidenced by a closed room meeting where employees were introduced to a groundbreaking technology idea. The staggering growth of Amazon catapulted Bezos to becoming the richest person in modern history, but the company also faced criticism for its demanding work culture, leading to its reputation as one of the worst companies to work for. In a surprising twist, Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon, leaving many intrigued about the future of both the company and its enigmatic leader. This episode of Foundering provides a captivating exploration of Amazon's rise to power and the remarkable evolution of Jeff Bezos, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the inner workings of one of the world's most influential companies.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.119

We have been employees of Amazon for like a week, but they had still not told us anything. They said, no, we have to tell you in a closed room. So we all got in the room together. They closed the door, locked the door, put paper over the window in the door. It was very hush hush, and then they said, imagine something the size of a coke can and people will be able to talk to it. And we thought, the technology isn't there yet, it doesn't exist yet.

TRAILER Foundering: The Amazon Story Top Questions Answered

How does Amazon aim to be seen as an innovator and pioneer?

Amazon aims to be seen as an innovator and pioneer through the introduction of new inventions, such as voice interaction and communication technologies, which they present to their employees in closed-room gatherings.

What is the role of robots in Amazon's fulfillment centers?

Robots play a significant role in Amazon's fulfillment centers, with a substantial number of robots being used compared to human employees.

Who is the richest person in modern history?

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is considered the richest person in modern history.

What ranking did Amazon receive as a company to work for?

Amazon has faced criticism, and it has been ranked as one of the worst companies to work for.

What led to protests against Amazon?

Protests against Amazon were organized due to concerns about the pressure and demands placed on warehouse workers.

Why was Jeff Bezos' decision to step down surprising?

Jeff Bezos surprised many by announcing his decision to step down from his position as the CEO of Amazon, given his influential role in the company's growth and success.

What is Foundering?

Foundering is a podcast by Bloomberg Technology that offers an inside look into Amazon's growth and its societal impact.

What is the focus of the podcast episode about Amazon?

The podcast episode focuses on the Amazon story, highlighting the company's growth, impact on society, and various aspects of its operations.

What is the main topic discussed in the podcast episode?

The main topic of the podcast episode is the story of Amazon, covering its innovation, reliance on robots, criticisms faced, protests organized against the company, and Jeff Bezos' surprising decision to step down.

Where can I listen to the podcast episode about Amazon?

You can listen to the podcast episode about Amazon, titled "TRAILER Foundering: The Amazon Story," on Bloomberg Technology's podcast platform or other popular podcast platforms.

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