Amazon, Tech and Displacement

INDYSTRUCTIBLE

Politicians across the country are falling over themselves to host Amazon’s 2nd North American headquarters — HQ2. Last week, dozens of municipalities submitted bids to Amazon hoping to lure the company to their city. In this episode, we hear from Jeff Reifman, a tech blogger, former Microsoft employee and a longtime resident of Seattle who says cities should think twice before welcoming the online retailer. Our conversation touched on Amazon’s impact on Jeff’s hometown, gentrification and the class politics of the tech industry in general.