That $4 cup of coffee...

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by taustin

Nearly as bad a beer.

Taustin, I think your tongue is broken.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by afv011

I have yet to find it. Every single bar, restaurant or coffee shop I tried sells the real thing. Italians and Spanish don't want a half litter cup of dirty water, they want a tiny cup that is really strong. The way it should be. And it only costs about 1 euro.

I agree 100%. American coffee is watered-down and dreadful, by comparison, but most Americans have no idea what a cup of quality, properly brewed coffee tastes like. (and it sure is not Starbuck's)

[BeccaPrice]

the whole point of the article isn't how good or bad coffee in general (and Starbucks in specific) is, the point is one of relative value.

I'll pay big bucks for Bujold, because she never disappoints, and I know I will always re-read her. I won't pay big bucks for lesser authors, because I can't make that statement "never disappoints" even about my beloved Nora Roberts (I find her Brides quartet and the Inn Boonsboro books extremely disappointing, and not re-read worthy). In consequence, I need to see really good reviews before I'll pay big bucks for a book, in whatever format, or the book needs to be priced in my zone where, if I don't like the book, I can write it off without wincing at the money I've wasted.

Lee and Miller's Liaden books are in that wavering zone for me, because while I enjoy them, I hate that so many end on cliff-hangers, even minor ones.

[ScotiaBurrell]

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

Now, I would never pay $4 for Starbucks - can't stand their coffee

starbucks coffee not cost $4. not in US.

[taustin]

Originally Posted by rkomar

Taustin, I think your tongue is broken.

My theory is that anyone who can stomach the taste of beer without throwing up is some kind of mutant, probably part of an alien conspiracy to destroy humanity. Which means I'm one of the last True Humans left, damn you all.

[QuantumIguana]

I'm not a great fan of beer myself, but humanity has been voting for beer for over 10,000 years. It seems to have been one of the big reasons that humans adopted agriculture, they needed more grain for their beer.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

starbucks coffee not cost $4. not in US.

Yeah, that's why I always hate these comparisons. A "cup of coffee" at starbucks costs $1.50. A "coffee drink" like a caramel frappucino might cost $4...but that's more akin to a defrosted milkshake than it is to a cup of coffee. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

As to the $13 e-book, I think the author is out of line. I don't know the author, haven't read his work, and have no idea whether the book is worth $13. And I have happily paid that much for an e-book, so I don't think that a $13 price is necessarily out of line.

However, if the book *is* worth $13, it's not worth $13 because some 2000 calorie coffee drink at Starbucks costs $4. It's also not worth $13 because Weeks spent two years working on it. As others have noted, it has no inherent worth; it is only worth what people will pay for it. Which means that individual readers will need to decide for themselves whether the price is right; Weeks's opinion doesn't have any impact on whether an individual reader would value the book that much.

I sort of understand why he was annoyed by the fan's comment, but a simple "if you don't think it's worth it, don't buy it" would have been enough.

[taustin]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

I'm not a great fan of beer myself, but humanity has been voting for beer for over 10,000 years. It seems to have been one of the big reasons that humans adopted agriculture, they needed more grain for their beer.

Indeed, the conspirach has a very long plan. I'm thinking that the various grains are necessary for our Alien Overlords to be able to colonize our planet properly.

(Yes, in case you're wondering, I am kidding.)

[speakingtohe]

My biggest barrier to paying $13 or $xx for an ebook is that often I can get them cheaper. The library selection in BC is very good and I can always find something I will enjoy.

Lots of sales, free books etc.

I try and buy at least a book a month from an author I have had a lot of enjoyment from but this is hard if the book is available at the library. Still I am gradually overcoming my inate thriftiness

I don't care if it is a license or a purchase, I am pretty convinced I will be able to read the book till the day I die, and if I want to lend it to a friend or relative, I have legitimate ways to do this.

If I am wrong and epubs/mobis go the way of the Dodo, I have bought thousands of books, both new and secondhand which I no longer have (given away, lost, donated or traded) with no regrets. The sun will still shine and hopefully I will be able to still find something to read

Helen

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by taustin

My theory is that anyone who can stomach the taste of beer without throwing up is some kind of mutant, probably part of an alien conspiracy to destroy humanity. Which means I'm one of the last True Humans left, damn you all.

There is no 'taste of beer'.

Beer can have every taste under the sun, from mouth-puckeringly sour (3 Fonteinen gueuze for instance) to soda-like sweetness (commercial fruit beers) and from bitter (the more extreme American IPAs, for instance) to malty (a Trappist double or a stout, say).

And everything in between. I suggest you hunt up a few good microbrews. If you think Budweiser et al is all there is, you're missing out...

Yes, I know. I'll shut up now

[tubemonkey]

Spoiler:

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

Apparently on Twitter (I don't twit, so I only know about this from blogs), Brent Weeks got bent out of shape when a fan complained about the cost ($13) of his newest ebook.

I ran across this article in The Digital Reader where they're making the case for why a $4 cup of coffee is a better deal than taking a $13 flier on a new-to-you author.

Now, I would never pay $4 for Starbucks - can't stand their coffee - but will willingly spend a couple dollars on Tim Horton's. And I gladly spent $15 on the eARC of the new Bujold book - but she's one of only a few authors I'm willing to do that for.

I think Nate Hoffelder makes a good case in the article.

Folgers! And a good book!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Me too. I really tried to like the stuff but never could tolerate the taste. I drank Soda mostly and Sweet tea. Now I can't have any of it due to my health....

Hmmm, coincidence?

[david_e]

.....

[Kumabjorn]

I'll stick to my prejudices until I've convinced you I'm correct.