Capitalism in Crisis: Big Tech's Triumph and Small Business's Struggles during the Pandemic

Unpacking How Big Tech Thrived During the Pandemic

In this script, I delve into my personal journey of understanding how major corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, and Tencent managed to achieve record-breaking profits during the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst severe restrictions that devastated many small businesses. I discuss my initial inclination to use ChatGPT for insights and my skepticism towards its responses, raising questions about the supposed location-agnostic nature of these businesses, their supply chain adaptability, the expansion of cloud computing, and their navigational prowess through regulatory landscapes. I also explore the investments in automation and technology, the monopolistic tendencies of these corporations, their shift towards online platforms, and the strategic manipulation of government relationships for tax and regulatory benefits. Moreover, I share my critical reflections on the broader societal and psychological impacts of moving towards an increasingly online existence, evaluating the economic disparity between large corporations and small businesses, and pondering the future of competition and innovation within this context.

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts
01:14 Exploring the Success of Big Tech Companies During the Pandemic
02:34 Diving into the Details: Supply Chains and Regulatory Navigation
05:27 The Impact of Online Shift and Automation
14:09 The Power of Financial Resilience and Market Insights
29:52 The Impact of Tech Industry's Growth Narrative
30:49 The Shift to Online Interactions and its Consequences
34:13 The Struggles of Small Businesses During the Pandemic
38:22 Understanding Capital Raising Through Share Issuance
39:10 The Relationship Between Large Corporations and Government Institutions