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There's something else you may need to consider... the fact that neither company is operating in a vacuum.
Sony may indeed stop making readers someday, and Amazon may stop producing the Kindle. But in the meantime, there are other companies right now, working to build devices that will enter the market alongside the Sony and Kindle, then pick up where they leave off.
Remember the Walkman? Sure you do. Sony created a sensation with it. And once the sensation was realized, dozens of other companies created and sold Walkman-clones, and flooded the market with 'em. Even when Sony cut back on Walkman production, there were still plenty of other companies selling. Today, the most popular player, the iPod, is a direct descendant of the Walkman concept, but it's not made by Sony. Neither is the iAudio MP3 player I own, and probably not the MP3 player you own, either.
Right now cloners in China are working on e-book readers (they'll be a hit in countries where you can't get a Kindle or Sony reader, and for sure they'll be a damn sight cheaper). Even if Sony and Amazon pull out of reader selling altogether, the clones will be able to take over and at least maintain the market, if not progress it.
So I wouldn't lose much sleep over this. The worst that will likely happen is, when your Sony dies someday, you'll be able to buy a reader just like it from Sanyo, rebranded from some Chinese firm you've never heard of, for $50.
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