In this insightful and somewhat frightening article, Peter Greene draws a straight line from the Amazon model of production and sales to the “reform” vision for education.

Categories Corporate Reform, Education Industry

32 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

Yvonne says:

December 11, 2021 at 9:28 am

People can support INDEPENDENT Bookstores by going to: Bookshop.org rather than Amazon.

Was happy I found Bookstores.org.

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- Yvonne says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 9:29 am
  
  OOPS … it’s Bookshop.org.
  
  Sorry.
  
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- dianeravitch says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 11:46 am
  
  Or go to your local independent bookstore, if one exists. Most have been driven out of business by 1) big box stores 2) Amazon.
  
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  - Lloyd Lofthouse says:
    
    December 11, 2021 at 1:04 pm
    
    Independent bookstores are not gone yet.
    
    “Whilst the source reported a drop in the number of bookstore members between 2019 and 2020, the figures provided showed that there were 1,700 independent bookselling companies running 4,100 stores.”
    
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/282808/number-of-independent-bookstores-in-the-us/
    
    From what I’ve read, Amazon killed off most of the big box book stores and that injected some life in the surviving independent bookstores for people that prefer bookstores over Amazon and ebooks.
    
    NPR does a good job with “Why The Number Of Independent Bookstores Increased During The ‘Retail Apocalypse'”
    
    “Between 2009 and 2015, the number of independent bookstores grew by 35 percent. This happened during the so-called “retail apocalypse,” which has pitted Amazon against every retail outlet in America.”
    
    https://www.npr.org/2018/03/29/598053563/why-the-number-of-independent-bookstores-increased-during-the-retail-apocalypse
    
    However, the pandemic has been more of a challenge for independent bookstores than Amazon has been.
    
    “How bookstores are weathering the pandemic
    
    “Independent bookstores are doing everything they can to stay in business.”
    
    https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/10/25/21517545/bookstores-pandemic-booksellers-closing
  - bethree5 says:
    
    December 11, 2021 at 7:20 pm
    
    Llolyd– My longtime book club has supported our [wonderful] town local book store for 30+ yrs by always ordering our monthly selections from them. As we’ve aged, a few find it necessary to get the selection cheaper from Amazon. But our store has flexed: 20% disc for 10-bk order, 10% for 5-book order.
    
    My main use for Amazon is other stuff– prime membership fee covers free shipping, so, heavy stuff. Now that I have sore joints, shopping is easier by getting bulk heavy household staples delivered to the doorstep.
    
    Book-wise, I have appreciated the way Amazon picked up the loss of used bookstores (they disappeared here 30 yrs ago), but this post reminds me that there are still less-rapacious alternatives (like Powell’s, and ABEBooks). But I have always found their global connections helpful. During my 20yrs as a for-langs-for-tykes special, I could get hard-to-find South American or French or Canadian items [books/ DVD’s/ CD’s], and I still depend on that feature to get reading material in for langs.
- Sara S says:
  
  December 13, 2021 at 8:11 am
  
  And if you’re not sure you want to own the book, there is still the public library.
  
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retired teacher says:

December 11, 2021 at 10:18 am

Devious DeVos had the nerve to call public schools a factory model of education. It seems to me that rows of zombie students staring at screens and fed content from an algorithm on a screen much more easily qualifies as a “factory model.” Public education is a model whose goal is mostly about being “through and efficient.” It aspires to bring young people access, opportunity and civics preparation in order to become responsible citizens. It is a pubic institution with noble goals, not an Amazon Warehouse.

The so-called “free market” is a scammer’s delight where the strong feed on the weak and the predators hunt for prey. Believing that the free market will solve education’s problems is as naive as it is reckless. Our young people should be valued, protected and taught well to prepare them for the future as they are the future of this country. They must be ready to address our future needs, and they deserve so much more than being considered a monetized line item in some rich person’s portfolio.

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- bethree5 says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 7:31 pm
  
  “Believing that the free market will solve education’s problems is as naive as it is reckless.” Does anyone believe this? The purveyors of the idea are self-interested hucksters who stuff campaign-coffers to get govt actors interested only in lowering public-goods taxes to “believe” it. Govt leaders sell the idea to addled low-income voters who vote Rep cuz they can’t afford more taxes, given the lousy middle/wkg class economy perpetuated by their govt leaders.
  
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- Bob Shepherd says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 11:03 pm
  
  rows of zombie students staring at screens and fed content from an algorithm on a screen much more easily qualifies as a “factory model.”
  
  Well said!
  
  Reply
Linda says:

December 11, 2021 at 10:26 am

Greene could add, in a follow-up article, a description of the disruption that gets the nation to the point he predicts. He doesn’t address the Christian theocracy’s materials and advocacy that steer parents in the direction of their Amazon purchases and against public schools.

The Houston school district is in the news at Huffpo today. In Nov., the neighboring school district, Cy-Fairbanks, elected Natalie Blasingame (former TFA) and Lucas H Scanlon to the school board. “God called me…the funding for my campaign is God’s provision…I have no politics but obedience.” (Texas Observer, 10-28-2015, Patrick Michels writing about Blasingame’s candidacy. “Meet the TFA backed candidate who wants to put God back in schools”.)
I’m not aware of the type of article that Michels wrote about Blasingame that instead focuses on Lucas H Scanlon. However, the following is what I found in an internet search. Scanlon and his wife (Bethany K. Scanlon) wrote a Christian book, described at Amazon by a reader as, “anointed to lead men and women into a Godly marriage.” A different reader described the book as, “poorly written and just strange.” Mrs. Scanlon has written several books including, “Redeeming Catholics and their Catholicism.”

A seismic cultural shift occurred that positions the nation where it is today. ( Ryan Girdusky’s interview of Pat Buchanan posted at Buchanan’s site provides background. Girdusky’s PAC funds anti-CRT candidates). When evangelicals were wary of Catholics and Catholics were wary of evangelicals, there were checks and balances that allowed for a country with separation of church and state.
When the two sects joined forces, theocracy was the objective. Much of media and many influencers feel superior to evangelicals and, protective of liberal Catholics. The result is condemnation of protestant evangelicals involved in the public square who further their religion and silence about conservative Catholics who do the same. It is what insulates the public from the knowledge that state Catholic Conferences take credit for school choice legislation.

It’s a shame the public doesn’t know. If they did, a chance for checks and balances would have a chance to gain traction.

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- ciedie aech says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 2:11 pm
  
  how we might describe the big tech future: profit-based algorithm think
  
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- bethree5 says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 7:43 pm
  
  There is much to support your thesis “When the two sects joined forces, theocracy was the objective.” Theocracy is too strong a word for me, but I think it’s in the ballpark, given current US demographics & evangelist/ conservative-Catholic goal to dial US culture back to a dominant Christian “norm.” However, US Catholic hierarchy’s [/$clouty conservative-Catholic funders’] goal must still be seen as aspirational. Catholic vote still trends 50-50 Dem/ Rep, as ever.
  
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  - Bob Shepherd says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 2:53 am
    
    I can well imagine a future U.S. Fourth Reich rallied under Constantine’s chiro symbol. A state-sponsored religion to keep the masses in line. It’s not surprising that Putin is a big supporter of the Russian Orthodox Church, which in turn is a big supporter of Putin.
  - beachteach says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 8:28 am
    
    I have not experienced the version of Catholicism that is often described here. My catholic friends are all very liberal (both in belief and practice). My undergrad and graduate degree was from a catholic college – the support for public schools is pronounced in education programs. The programs I have been part of have been very mixed as far as religious make up in classes. Most Catholic K-12 schools that I am aware of (while I would not choose for my own children b/c the resources are not the same) – are not awash in funds and are very transparent.
    
    While I do not have blinders on…. and understand that there may be an agenda in some conservative Catholic circles…. I think you paint with a broad brush here to describe a “take over the world” mentality.
    
    In my state Catholic Charities does a tremendous amount of work supporting the settlement of refugees without a proselytizing mentality.
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 10:37 am
    
    I am married to a Roman Catholic and have many Catholic friends, including priests. With one exception, they are all liberal and vote liberal. Most have taught in public schools.
  - Linda says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 9:37 am
    
    beachteach-
    Thank you for adding your comment.
    Respectfully, I don’t write about a “version of Catholicism”. Pope Francis appears to be doing that in his attempt to tamp down the conservative American Catholic Church, which is something he has paid for in lack of support.
    I write about gains made by individuals who cite religion as the goal for their politicking. I write about religious organizations including the “public policy voice of the Catholic Church in the states (state Catholic Conferences)” that influence legislation and public policy.
    Like you, my view of religion’s interaction with the community was positive. It changed when religion was weaponized politically, congregants were steered to GOP voting. If the general public was aware of the change and chose to acquiesce to it (one blog commenter’s view), I wouldn’t write about it. Instead, I choose to believe that Americans want democracy and will stand up against its enemies.
    You stated that your religious community is liberal. Statistically, 63% of white Catholics who attended church regularly voted for Trump in 2020 (Pew research). The research about the religious voting pattern within states is not available. I live in the center of the country, the local Catholic Churches are Republican strongholds. As corroboration there are reports like those about Bishop Hebda.
    When considering political impact, it is unwise to ignore conservative
    religious voting in electoral college-rich states. Additionally, state GOP candidates win and state super majority legislatures exist because of conservative religious votes. The locations of those votes are largely outside of the northeast, west coast and affluent, educated enclaves.
    A review of state Catholic Conference sites shows a process for getting desired votes. Many appear to be sophisticated operations.
    Steve Bannon geofenced Catholic Churches for Republican messages as reported by media.
    Beachteach, thank you for reading my comment with an open mind.
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 10:49 am
    
    Linda, I think you should pay attention to evangelicals.
  - Linda says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 10:02 am
    
    BeThree-
    Thank you for your open mind on the subject.
    If you’ll allow me an observational leap, you seem to take comfort in a “50-50” split?
    The next (and, all that follow) SCOTUS decision that erodes separation of church and state will be delivered with 100% certainly, if we are to believe Sotomayer’s desperate warning.
    
    “50-50” got us school choice, taxpayers forced to fund religious schools, bans on abortion and religious organization exemptions from civil rights employment law so that they could discriminate against gay people
    
    I’d like to think that “50-50” rhetoric wouldn’t be used as a gateway to acquiescence.
    
    Beachteach,
    I wrote a response to you that went into moderation. Sorry about it’s delay.
  - Linda says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 10:05 am
    
    Bob-
    Frequently you expand my knowledge, thank you.
  - Linda says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 11:46 am
    
    Diane,
    Your blog allows for open dialogue and I appreciate it.
    
    Axios posted a map today, “Red states crack down on abortion pills”.
    Gov. Noem, a Christian non-Catholic evangelical achieves the result through executive order. SCOTUS’ confirmation or rejection of this use of executive order will make for an interesting case, assuming their willingness to review it. IMO, Noem is emboldened by the make-up of the Court.
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 11:58 am
    
    Agreed. This court is tilted very far to the right.
  - Linda says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 1:25 pm
    
    Many if not most of the noxious state law drafts would be in the dust bin if SCOTUS wasn’t perceived as driven by ideology and conservative religion.
  - bethree5 says:
    
    December 13, 2021 at 1:43 pm
    
    beachteach, my raising in the RC church was idiosyncratic—a leftwing-fringe-Catholic Mom, liberal Jesuit friends of family, a collegetown (with campus united religious works run by Dan Berrigan in the ‘60’s), etc—plus a rwnj Irish-Cath grandfather exposing me to the opposite end, & Ital-Cath in-laws representing everything from union Dems to racists. No broad brush possible there. But US RC estab was never a bed of roses, always teetered between way left & way right IMHO. Haven’t attended my NJ church since the parish replaced the old guard liberal priests with throwbacks almost 20 yrs ago. I still follow doings with interest though, and have been dismayed at USCCB’s involvement with school choice, the type of Catholics put on SCOTUS (except Sotomayor), the political influence of dark-$ fundamentalist Catholic L Leo. Very unhappy with their joining hands with Southern evangelists.
NoBrick says:

December 11, 2021 at 10:36 am

“Besides four decades of writing fiction,
John C. Boland has worked as a Senior
Editor of Barron’s Financial Weekly,
contributed to the Sunday New York Times
and the Wall Street Journal, and run
a profitable hedge fund. He is the author
of what Market Logic called
“the best book ever written on insider trading”
— Wall Street’s Insiders (Morrow).

The author set up a company, Perfect Crime,
and outsourced the printing, billing, and
shipping of his books to Amazon.”

Who woulda thunk
“If you lie down with dogs,
you get up with fleas”…

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- Linda says:
  
  December 11, 2021 at 11:24 am
  
  The kettle and the pot.
  
  Reply
beachteach says:

December 11, 2021 at 11:36 am

I often wondered why Amazon doesn’t make it’s search tool more accurate and better able to filter results. Now I understand that it’s intentional.

The analogy to vouchers for k-12 schools is depressing.

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Susan Lee Schwartz says:

December 11, 2021 at 2:30 pm

I cannot add a comment at Grenne’s blog.. so tell him that I posted this at OEN, which w ill account for the attention he will get.

https://www.opednews.com/Quicklink/Amazon-The-Algorithm-and-in-General_News-Education_Education-For-All_Education-Funding_Educational-Crisis-211211-622.html

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Clarity says:

December 12, 2021 at 11:36 am

Amazon is so slimy that if they don’t like you but still want to profit from you, they do stuff like this – list your book as second most read instead of first. They have no problem disrespecting their own customers in the process of their deception. The book they placed in the number one position is only the most read book, according to them, in the state of PA!

https://www.amazon.com/charts/2021-12-05/mostread/nonfiction/ref=dp_chrtbg_dbs_1

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- dianeravitch says:
  
  December 12, 2021 at 11:59 am
  
  How sad that RFK Jr. is a quack.
  
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- Linda says:
  
  December 12, 2021 at 1:28 pm
  
  #6 Jordan B. Peterson
  The right wing reads?
  
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- Linda says:
  
  December 12, 2021 at 1:54 pm
  
  Clarity
  If you are encouraging Republicans to read and push the Kennedy book to the top of the list, I’m not sure whose side you’re on.
  “Anti-Vax Republican (William Hartmann-age 63) Who Refused to Certify Biden’s Michigan Win, Dies of Covid”
  Vice, 12-10-2021
  
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  - dianeravitch says:
    
    December 12, 2021 at 2:40 pm
    
    Clarity must want more people to get COVID