Thread: Funny article about the future of paper books
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Old 05-28-2010, 02:10 AM   #86
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Jordan View Post
At the risk of sounding blunt: Wrong.

When ebooks are cheaper, easier to get, easier to use and more convenient than printed books overall, and when most people have any electronic device at all to read them on, people will respond to convenience and give up the desire to buy bulky, expensive items for the sole reason of preserving secondary inputs... they will replace printed books with digital books, for all uses save boutique gifts and specialty items... there will be no more "mass market book."

And yes, I give it less than 20 years. I'd give it less than 10 if the overall publishing industry wasn't still stubbornly dragging its heels over the whole matter.

The establishment of a default format (ePub) will largely accomplish this. Just as standardized photo hardware, software and formats led to the inclusion of cameras in many portable devices, and the slow extinction of film camera, so ePub readers will be included in more personal devices, allowing people to read books on almost anything with a screen--and they will get used to various screen sizes, whatever best suits them, or is most convenient. Most importantly, they will get used to carrying their library with them at all times, just as they can with their music now, always ready to be accessed for information or for pleasure.

Eventually, the benefits of digital will far outweigh the tactile and olfactory aspects of paper, and we can start leaving all that pulp on the trees where it belongs.
OK.
You can find some of the people of which I'm talking about here: http://punto-informatico.it/b.aspx?i...28372#p2428372.
In other ebook related posts on this blog, and on Tom's Hardware, and on HW Upgrade, you'll find all what I'm saying.
So, go and sell ebook readers to them. Most of them are SF readers who will really like your books, even.

I'm sure that for those people convenience is not enough to replace multisensorial experience. I married one of them.
But I can change my mind, of course.

So, be back when they're convinced, I wait here.
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