But if extracting value makes things go bad, then it pretty much leads to a death spiral.
I feel like a more helpful framework is: if you're giving up on competing, then financialize, while recognizing that a) it's probably gonna kill your company, and b) value extraction from users [especially those who have little choice in using your products!] is no fun for anyone!
> NYTimes - Nov 29, 2004 — The Disco Ball of Failed Hopes - Intel, giant computer chip maker, seems to have lost its way lately; has publicly ... including the 25 percent decline in Intel's stock price this year
As far as I can tell, things are pretty good for the Intel/AMD duopoly. AMD's stock is up 1000% in the last five years. Right now AMD is on top. Just like how AMD was on top around 2004. Then after a few years of AMD winning, Intel turned it around and became on top again. It's like democrats and republicans.
This is no longer a duopoly. We have Apple Silicon and Windows on ARM has gotten new life. AMD and Intel don't have the x86 monopoly on the desktop and laptop market anymore.
I'm probably not the only person that switched to a MacBook in the last two years because their products are leagues above what AMD and Intel offer. This is the first Laptop I've had that's quiet, has 10+ hours battery life and doesn't lag.
Every Windows laptop I bought or tried in the last few years was a disappointment. They cost $ 2000 or more and feel slower than my old i7-3770k at home. They say they have improved battery life but in reality it's still only 4-6 hours if you are lucky (if you want M1 performance 2 hours...).
I agree this won't be the end of Intel or AMD and I think we have seen some progress in the last few years and I will be trying out the new AMD laptops in summer. But there is definitely a lot more competition today than in the last 20 - 30 years.
Even innovation powerhouses can eventually fall. Those that stick around often shed the business units that made them successful initially (GE). One good way to extend the life of a company is to acquire your eventual replacements before they get a shot at you.
Business is hard, and most profitable businesses have a shelf life.