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Steven Lyle Jordan · 05-20-2012, 10:40 AM

I had to look through the blog again, to see if Konrath actually used the word "evil" in there anywhere. (He didn't.)

Yes, it's a bald-faced rant on publishers as an industry, and it draws good comparisons to the railroads--and, as Rich points out, plenty of other industries. This is how industries work: They massage a system for their own benefit, and someone else always comes out with the short end of the stick... usually the workers. It doesn't automatically make industries evil; it does make them capitalists. (Okay, picking on the railroads and their minority labor force is clear button-pushing; pretty much any industry would have done fine as analogy, but who can resist a Mel Brooks reference?)

His other points are sound, though: Businesses without competition get complacent; and when competition finally does come along (usually through progress outside of the established industry), the establishment usually gets its @$$ kicked, whether it deserves it or not (and obviously, in this case, Konrath says it does). That's exactly where the publishing industry is now... trying to get its collective @$$ out of the firing line in order to take control again.

Me, I like the fact that ebooks represent that game-changing technology, and that people like me can exploit it in order to avoid being exploited. I also have little sympathy for the industries that tried (and continue to try) to shut me out of the game. I may not consider them evil, but I do remember their past behavior and take that into consideration when I am offered the opportunity to work with them or stand beside them.

Here's my analogy: For years, the American automakers blew off the concerns about the environment and, determined to make money, invented the SUV, marketed the livin' hell out of 'em, and pretended there was no pollution or environmental damage. And even though they now try to sell hybrids and electrics, I remember their past behavior well, and have decided that they are not worthy of my money... nor anyone else that I can steer away from them.

05-20-2012, 10:40 AM	#5
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I had to look through the blog again, to see if Konrath actually used the word "evil" in there anywhere. (He didn't.) Yes, it's a bald-faced rant on publishers as an industry, and it draws good comparisons to the railroads--and, as Rich points out, plenty of other industries. This is how industries work: They massage a system for their own benefit, and someone else always comes out with the short end of the stick... usually the workers. It doesn't automatically make industries evil; it does make them capitalists. (Okay, picking on the railroads and their minority labor force is clear button-pushing; pretty much any industry would have done fine as analogy, but who can resist a Mel Brooks reference?) His other points are sound, though: Businesses without competition get complacent; and when competition finally does come along (usually through progress outside of the established industry), the establishment usually gets its @$$ kicked, whether it deserves it or not (and obviously, in this case, Konrath says it does). That's exactly where the publishing industry is now... trying to get its collective @$$ out of the firing line in order to take control again. Me, I like the fact that ebooks represent that game-changing technology, and that people like me can exploit it in order to avoid being exploited. I also have little sympathy for the industries that tried (and continue to try) to shut me out of the game. I may not consider them evil, but I do remember their past behavior and take that into consideration when I am offered the opportunity to work with them or stand beside them. Here's my analogy: For years, the American automakers blew off the concerns about the environment and, determined to make money, invented the SUV, marketed the livin' hell out of 'em, and pretended there was no pollution or environmental damage. And even though they now try to sell hybrids and electrics, I remember their past behavior well, and have decided that they are not worthy of my money... nor anyone else that I can steer away from them.