Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

brianvan t1_izf56gg wrote

Reply to comment by NetQuarterLatte in New York’s ‘zombie’ office towers teeter as interest rates rise by rootbeer_racinette

I think the point is that, while some of this stuff makes sense, any system has to work as a whole and not just add or remove discrete parts. The system we’re talking about is an ideological finish line that hasn’t been achieved. The system we actually live with fails workers constantly because legislators have removed worker protections while adding owner/stockholder safeguards across the board. Any new measure to strengthen workers’ position moves us a step away from the “free market” ideal but we’re nowhere close to it to begin with.

0

NetQuarterLatte t1_izfbs2f wrote

I think there's no finish line.

The fact that we have tons of empty storefronts and empty office space suggests it's too hard for new businesses to be created.

If existing employees are stuck in shitty jobs because they employers suck, creating new opportunities will move the needle on job safety and empowerment more than any regulation that intents to improve workers' position.

On the other hand, if we had physical limitations on commercial space available (all storefronts busy, say with skyrocketing commercial rents), I think the marginal low hanging fruit would be different and my criticism would be aimed at something else.

7

brianvan t1_izfcjaf wrote

Offices and storefronts are empty because landlords require a small fortune to lease one

2