Quote:
Originally Posted by pwalker8
but there is no doubt that the publishers and many main stream authors see that as the likely outcome of Amazon's drive to commoditize books.
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We really need to stop using phrases like "drive to commoditize books" as if it's a new concept invented by Amazon--or even relevant/accurate for that matter. Books
are commodities. Have been for a long time. So are the authors who write them. Have been for even longer. The problem publishers (and some authors) have is that Amazon is threatening the stranglehold that they have historically held on those commodities. Nothing more, nothing less.
I have no doubt that there are people who work for publishers who care deeply about literature. Just as I have no doubt that there are people who work for Amazon who care about the plight of the working man. But publishing companies care no more about the "integrity of literature" than Amazon cares about the common man.
They are corporate entities at odds for control of how money gets made by the sale/promotion of commodities. Period.