Quote:
Originally Posted by BWinmill
Even though there is a lot of truth to the notion of tech disruptions, the reality is much more mundane than the hyperbole. What we usually see is a shuffling of players, but very little change in the structure. So the end result may include different publishers, but we will still have publishers. The end result may have different authors dominating the best sellers list, but we will still have authors dominating the best sellers list (and chances are the composition of authors overall will be remarkably similar to what it is today).
The thing is, substantive change (the great equalization that technology can enable) requires a change in human psychology. Changing the tools simply isn't enough.
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I do not see an end result resembling what you forsee more than superficially.
I think best seller lists will generally have to now compete with dozens of other best seller lists.
I think that those lists will each cater to constituencies with different outlooks on politics, religion, sexuality, family, general philosophy, etc. They will overlap about as much as Horror and Romance genre lists overlap now. And adherents to each list will extole the list of their patronage while excoriating lists diametricaly opposed to their preference.
Thats where we are headed in my view.