I find this whole publicity stunt by Amazon curiously similar to the publicity stunt that Domino's did back in June, where they deliver pizzas via drones.
First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
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Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#22It seems obvious to me that Bezos took this one public so early to garner public support so that the FAA can't just sit on it forever. All of Amazon's other initiatives didn't need some federal regulator to OK it before they could start selling it. I think this is an effective solution to getting a notoriously slow agency to move on an item. No one wants to be seen as stopping innovation, not even the FAA.
I agree. Even if Amazon doesn't end up launching its own drones, you can be sure that Fedex and UPS will eventually. That helps Amazon too.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#23I don't think they had much credibility left.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#24Perhaps it was prior art. I can already feel the ground rumbling with the coming stampede of "X... but with teh drones!" patents.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#25It seems disingenuous for this blog to suggest that MacKenzie Bezos's negative review of the Bezos book was part of the same orchestrated spin campaign as the drone story. That review didn't simply object to the tone or the message of the book, but also pointed out specific factual errors the book made, errors that were later tacitly acknowledged by the author.
I agree. I'm totally on board that there was some serious negotiation by Amazon (Prime) to get the piece on Amazon Prime Air to air the eve of "Cyber Monday" so you'd see as much Amazon Prime as possible.
I'd believe that it's intentionally out there to put quiet pressure on the FAA to lighten its regulations. I could even see it being run to distract from the Mother Jones-esque pieces about how terrible it is to be a seasonal employee at an Amazon Warehouse.
But this being a reaction to the Bezos book? That seems like a bit much.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#26It seems disingenuous for this blog to suggest that MacKenzie Bezos's negative review of the Bezos book was part of the same orchestrated spin campaign as the drone story. That review didn't simply object to the tone or the message of the book, but also pointed out specific factual errors the book made, errors that were later tacitly acknowledged by the author.
Also even if the book '... portrays Bezos as a ruthless tyrant and a "penny-pinching ballbuster,"' would that dissuade anyone who was already planning on it from shopping at Amazon? To me, regardless of the truth, being "penny-pinching" given Amazon's razor thin margins seems like a good trait for the CEO.
What about "ruthless tyrant?"
I'm making a point to shop locally now. I've already seen what supporting Walmart has done to our country.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#27Who cares? It sparks the public imagination and gets people excited for the future. It's the kind of thing that can get a child interested in robotics or can give entrepreneurs a new level of insight into where commerce is headed. It sets a bar for ambition. Also, how often is it that we're dazzled with TED talks showcasing university research projects that promise the world and never make it to market? Is the point, ultimately, to make it to market, or to submit something bold to the consciousness?
Secondly, how will it work out for Amazon, in its coveted "long-run," if it erodes public trust by showing something it doesn't really think will ship? I think showing it in public gives them an onus to execute. As others have mentioned, it also creates an onus for the FAA to take this challenge seriously and to accelerate its thinking about this new direction.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#28Seems like a long stretch. Who cares if the CEO is a nice guy? Steve Jobs is known as a terrible boss, but no one cares. The only thing matters to the mass consumers and the company's customers is the products the company produces.
Sadly, yes. Further, people dont really care where or how products are made. We get all this negative PR about how appalling working conditions are where many top selling brands are made, but there is no noticeable dent in sales as a result. If shoppers cared, they would shop differently.
However, its a lot to do with the egos of these CEOs, and what not. You and I may not care how nice or horrible these people may or may not be, but the people getting the negativity do. They dont like the idea that the public think they are not very nice, or what ever.
So, I'd suggest its possible its more about individual ego, than sales. Sales is a convenient excuse.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#29CBS and 60 minutes lost their credibility long before this.
Re: First Victim of Amazon Drones: The Credibility of CBS and 60 Minutes
#30It seems obvious to me that Bezos took this one public so early to garner public support so that the FAA can't just sit on it forever. All of Amazon's other initiatives didn't need some federal regulator to OK it before they could start selling it. I think this is an effective solution to getting a notoriously slow agency to move on an item. No one wants to be seen as stopping innovation, not even the FAA.
What worries me is that whatever regulations the FAA come up with will suit Amazon just fine, but will put drones out of reach of hobbyists.