Is the Kindle for Women?

TadW · 06-19-2008, 05:04 AM

So sez Seth Godin on his blog:

Quote:

Two months ago, I got a Kindle. It's a fascinating device, unlike almost any other launched by a significant tech company. Here's why:

1. It's for women and women are buying it. The bestseller list of Kindle titles is much less tech-heavy than Amazon's list was in the early days of the web. An Oprah book is #1. And the colors and feel of the machine don't feel like the current uber-geek tech dream device.

Link: Random thoughts about the Kindle

basschick · 06-19-2008, 09:20 AM

hmmm... i know several people who have kindles, and all of them are men - although i do have a female friend planning to get one next month.

DixieGal · 06-19-2008, 09:59 AM

IMHO - It's a crock of bullspit.

Maybe it appears from Amazon's book sales to be a "women's" gadget, but I think that is just because there seems to be more women who read. And therefore, more women buying books. And Amazon seeks to court more sales by offering the types of books with proven good sales histories. The device itself is non-sexual: It's a MACHINE.

rixte · 06-19-2008, 10:01 AM

I have to say, I find Seth Godin's statement bizarre and nonsensical. As typical tech early adopter, I really hate this stereotype that women don't enjoy/use technology. Godin would have been a lot better off, imo, if he'd said the exact same thing except replace 'women' with non-techies.

And I can't take this poll - if I say "yes", it implies that the Kindle is only for women and if I say "no" I'm saying it's not for women - both of which are silly.

Kindle is for *readers*.

JSWolf · 06-19-2008, 10:28 AM

I've been noticing that most of the new eBooks at some libraries tend to be mostly romance. So yes, I do think they are pushing eBooks towards women.

Patricia · 06-19-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rixte

And I can't take this poll - if I say "yes", it implies that the Kindle is only for women and if I say "no" I'm saying it's not for women - both of which are silly.
Kindle is for *readers*.

Good point, rixte. The poll should have a third option saying it's suitable for persons of any and all genders.
(At work we have some transgender people, so have had to alter our forms. M or F are no longer sufficient options.)

rixte · 06-19-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've been noticing that most of the new eBooks at some libraries tend to be mostly romance. So yes, I do think they are pushing eBooks towards women.

But do you think that is because they are pushing eBooks toward women or is it simply because romances contribute the second-largest part of the publishing market in general, behind religious/inspiration books, proving a larger amount to pull from?

desertgrandma · 06-19-2008, 11:33 AM

I need a large stick and the directions to this idiots house. Lord, with my two posts this morning, I am moving backwards on the karma scale. Okay, I don't read romances, and I wouldn't buy anything oprah suggested if it came knocking on my door with McDonalds french fries. In looking at the 4 pages of books loaded on my Kindle, with the exception of Janet Evonovich, everything is scifi, horror or mystery, with Lady Chatterley's Lover thrown in for good measure. Does that make me 'masculine'?

RickyMaveety · 06-19-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rixte

I have to say, I find Seth Godin's statement bizarre and nonsensical. As typical tech early adopter, I really hate this stereotype that women don't enjoy/use technology. Godin would have been a lot better off, imo, if he'd said the exact same thing except replace 'women' with non-techies.

And I can't take this poll - if I say "yes", it implies that the Kindle is only for women and if I say "no" I'm saying it's not for women - both of which are silly.

Kindle is for *readers*.

Absolutely!! I'm a woman, so I said "yes" ... but I would have picked that option had it been available. It's a BOOK after all. Books are for everyone ... even some people who can't read (maybe especially them) understand the importance of books ... and of the written word generally. The Kindle (for me) is just a nice way of being able to tote around a ton reading for reference and entertainment.

Ervserver · 06-19-2008, 11:47 AM

Since we purchased the Kindle I've suddenly had urges to wear pantyhose

zelda_pinwheel · 06-19-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervserver

Since we purchased the Kindle I've suddenly had urges to wear pantyhose

definitive proof, if i ever heard any. not only is it *for* women, it will actually turn you into one.

daffy4u · 06-19-2008, 03:36 PM

It's mostly men who gather around me asking questions when I have my Kindle out. Two yesterday said they were going to buy one. One for his mother, the other for himself.

If it were designed for me, they would not have chosen white.

Patricia · 06-19-2008, 03:50 PM

I'm a woman and am a lot more computer-literate than my partner and most of my colleagues.
And none of the men I know have bought a Reader.

TallMomof2 · 06-19-2008, 06:34 PM

Huh? If you look at Amazon's pbook top ten it's pretty much the same as the Kindle's top ten list. Therefore pbooks are for women.

RickyMaveety · 06-19-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

I'm a woman and am a lot more computer-literate than my partner and most of my colleagues.
And none of the men I know have bought a Reader.

Gee, if we are going to answer the poll based on computer literacy, then I'm the only computer literate person in my entire neighborhood. None of the men who live here know the first thing about computers. I have been called on more than once to set up something on their computer, or troubleshoot something on their computer, or repair something on their computer .... none of them have an ebook reader that I know of ... and I would think that I will know when they do, because I'm the one that is going to be called on to set it up.

I know very few men of my generation who have embrassed computers. I'm sure they must be out there ... but I just haven't met many.

View Poll Results: Is the Kindle a device just for Women?
Yes	16	20.25%
No	63	79.75%
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll

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06-19-2008, 09:20 AM	#2
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	hmmm... i know several people who have kindles, and all of them are men - although i do have a female friend planning to get one next month.

06-19-2008, 09:59 AM	#3
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	IMHO - It's a crock of bullspit. Maybe it appears from Amazon's book sales to be a "women's" gadget, but I think that is just because there seems to be more women who read. And therefore, more women buying books. And Amazon seeks to court more sales by offering the types of books with proven good sales histories. The device itself is non-sexual: It's a MACHINE.

06-19-2008, 10:01 AM	#4
rixte Addict Posts: 300 Karma: 396757 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: new oasis, paperwhite, ipad, kobo	I have to say, I find Seth Godin's statement bizarre and nonsensical. As typical tech early adopter, I really hate this stereotype that women don't enjoy/use technology. Godin would have been a lot better off, imo, if he'd said the exact same thing except replace 'women' with non-techies. And I can't take this poll - if I say "yes", it implies that the Kindle is only for women and if I say "no" I'm saying it's not for women - both of which are silly. Kindle is for readers.

06-19-2008, 10:28 AM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I've been noticing that most of the new eBooks at some libraries tend to be mostly romance. So yes, I do think they are pushing eBooks towards women.

06-19-2008, 11:33 AM	#8
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	I need a large stick and the directions to this idiots house. Lord, with my two posts this morning, I am moving backwards on the karma scale. Okay, I don't read romances, and I wouldn't buy anything oprah suggested if it came knocking on my door with McDonalds french fries. In looking at the 4 pages of books loaded on my Kindle, with the exception of Janet Evonovich, everything is scifi, horror or mystery, with Lady Chatterley's Lover thrown in for good measure. Does that make me 'masculine'?

06-19-2008, 11:47 AM	#10
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	Since we purchased the Kindle I've suddenly had urges to wear pantyhose

06-19-2008, 03:36 PM	#12
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	It's mostly men who gather around me asking questions when I have my Kindle out. Two yesterday said they were going to buy one. One for his mother, the other for himself. If it were designed for me, they would not have chosen white.

06-19-2008, 03:50 PM	#13
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	I'm a woman and am a lot more computer-literate than my partner and most of my colleagues. And none of the men I know have bought a Reader.

06-19-2008, 06:34 PM	#14
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Huh? If you look at Amazon's pbook top ten it's pretty much the same as the Kindle's top ten list. Therefore pbooks are for women.

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