If you don't read the post<p>Publishing is made out of pipes. Traditionally the supply chain ran: author -&#62; publisher -&#62; wholesaler -&#62; bookstore -&#62; consumer.<p>Then the internet came along, a communications medium the main effect of which is to disintermediate indirect relationships, for example by collapsing supply chains with lots of middle-men.<p>From the point of view of the public, to whom they sell, Amazon is a bookstore.<p>From the point of view of the publishers, from whom they buy, Amazon is a wholesaler.<p>From the point of view of Jeff Bezos' bank account, Amazon is the entire supply chain and should take that share of the cake that formerly went to both wholesalers and booksellers.