The Battle for Amazon HQ2 Was a Con

Did Bezos think no one would notice?

Editor’s Note: No Mercy/No Malice is a column from Professor Scott Galloway, where he shares various reflections on business, tech, and life each week.

I’m on the West Coast to meet with the CEO of global tech firm, see my dad, and spend a few days in LA. In addition, I’m doing a bunch of meetings about if and how The Four becomes a documentary, movie, podcast… dinner theater?

Waze

I grew up in LA. The biggest change? Waze. LA traffic is what I imagine Bangkok was like before the BTS Skytrain. The app forces you to take byzantine routes through the circulatory system of LA. Despite the app, which feels like it has sentient qualities mocking us, one gets to marvel at the alchemy of grit, cement, palm trees, zero humidity, and “fabulous” that LA projects.

My agent (yes, I have an agent) said Blaze Storm (name changed for anonymity) likes my work and asked to meet with me. Blaze is (no kidding) a household-name actor in the prime of his career. His movies have grossed billions.

Blaze was more thoughtful and dialed into tech than one would think (actor stereotype). He was joined by a colleague who was also uber-impressive and who’s worked with him for over a decade, also reflecting well on Blaze —…