The irresistible force paradox is the name given to the contradictory hypothetical phenomena when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. For the sake of argument, assume that both objects, in this case, are totally indestructible. Physics professors and experts in the field will tell you that this paradox is completely flawed because it is impossible for an object to be immovable. In terms of relating this paradox to physical sciences, yes, it is largely improbable that an unstoppable force will ever be faced with an immovable object, but I posit that this exact scenario is occurring in the stock market as we speak, and the situation is anything but paradoxical.
If we consider the global economy as an unstoppable force, capable of laying waste to any entity in its path if it so chooses, then Amazon (AMZN) has proven, on a consistent basis, to be an infinitely immovable object. As the kingpin of the retail industry, Amazon (AMZN) predicted, back in July, that its e-commerce sales in the US would reach $258.2 billion in 2018, up 30% from the year prior, essentially suggesting that the company would secure half of the US e-commerce market by the end of the year. Amazon (AMZN) announced on Wednesday that it had added “tens of millions” of people who signed up for Prime memberships, and customers purchased “millions more Amazon devices” compared to last year’s holiday season. Though the company’s chief executive officer, Jeff Bezos, has stated time and time again that the company will never share its official sales numbers, it’s no secret the Bezos is dead-set on taking over the world.
In an effort to expand this Alexa-powered takeover of the global retail market, Amazon commandeered headlines this year as its search committee sought out to find the perfect new home for Amazon’s “HQ2.” After 14 months and countless trips to an assortment of US cities, Amazon (AMZN) announced, back in November, that it would split the new headquarters in half, with one built in Northern Virginia’s Arlington and the other in New York’s Long Island City.
Earlier this year, Amazon (AMZN) turned several heads when the online marketplace indicated that, after years outright refusing to sell Apple (AAPL) products on their site, they would start selling iPhone, iPad, Mac computer, Apple Watch, and other fruit-based products on its website. In 2015, Amazon (AMZN) banned the sales of competing streaming devices, especially Apple TV, because Apple’s device didn’t “interact well with Prime Video.” To put it simply, Bezos wanted to take Apple (AAPL) out of the game. Eventually, the two companies hashed out their differences and came to an agreement that benefitted their mutual interests — for Amazon (AMZN), this meant the Amazon (AMZN) prime app being featured on Apple TV devices; and for Apple (AAPL), it meant the restored ability to sell Apple TVs on Amazon’s site. The new deal struck between the two industry giants meant customers would have increased on-demand access to new Apple (AAPL) products without the worry of authenticity, given that prior to the agreement, all Apple (AAPL) devices and accessories sold on Amazon (AMZN) were distributed via third-party sellers.
“Amazon is constantly working to enhance the customer experience, and one of the ways we do this is by increasing selection of the precuts we know customers want. We look forward to expanding our assortment to Apple and Beats products globally.”
–official statement from Amazon to CNBC
Now, let me be perfectly clear, I don’t think Jeff Bezos genuinely has dastardly intentions to utilize the revenue streams of his company to start a new nation, creating an unstoppable world power with a powerful online presence, ultimately leading to the creation of an Amazon Prime member-based volunteer militia program determined to control the global population via Alexas in strategically placed everywhere. All I’m saying is that we should just pay attention to the greater implications of our frequent Amazon (AMZN) purchases.
