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Comment by dieselgate | Hacker News Reader

Yeah your first point "someone your customers would choose instead of you" is how I view it

That's pretty rough for people in web publishing/social media whose business model relies on advertisement, as basically anything retaining people attention other than their product is a competitor. Even having a having a face-to-face discussion with a friend over a meal may amount to competition.

Yes, but that's how it is.

There's direct competition, e.g. another business doing the same as you. And there's more indirect competition, perhaps another industry but that can lure eyeballs away from you.

You are competing against anything and anyone that might divert attention, sales, etc away from you.

I think it cannot be good for society, but regulation is tricky and I don't have any silver bullet solution to offer. Maybe some smart people will find a solution eventually. Though on the question of an alternative to ads as a source of income, I like the idea of partly subsidizing press through public library subscriptions. However, while this "library model" already exists for paid online press, I absolutely don't see it working for social media like TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, etc. (but maybe it's just a lack of imagination from my part).

It’s part of the definition of “ a market”. With any demand there needs to be a supply and healthy competition/(or consumer choice) is part of maintaining a healthy market. The opposite of competition in a market is a “monopoly” which is often bad for consumers.

It's neither good nor bad. It can be good, it can be bad. What is sure is that this is life and there is nothing you can do about it.

I still can complain, and no one will stop me ! (just kidding)

well put. I like the "diverting attention" angle.

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