Author Sherman Alexie Wants to Punch You in the Face - Page 14

Avarwen · 06-25-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

I bought a Sony PRS-505 because I am not well-off.

Does that sound like a contradiction? It isn't. My primary reason for buying the ereader, as I've put it many times, was to be able to read Project Gutenberg in bed. My secondary reason was to be able to buy ebooks from publishers who sell them cheaper than their pbooks (Baen, for instance). I got my 505 on sale for $200 (which also gave me some Borders Bucks).

Is owning a TV "elitist"? It costs more than an ebook reader. A lot more. And if you're going to purchase paid content for it (i.e., cable TV), you're looking at, in my area, from $40 to $130 a month. That would pay for at least one ebook a week (assuming a $9.99 price point - and I buy from cheaper stores) which is all many people have time to read.

By owning an ebook reader, I can read public domain books, affordably-priced ebooks, etc., instead of walking into a place which is carefully designed to tempt me into buying books when I'm at my most vulnerable. Yes, I'm one of those people who can't leave a bookstore with just the book I went to buy; I love books too much. When I'm trying to economize, it's safer for me to stay away from bookstores. Plus, given that my nearest Borders is a gallon and a half of gas and $2 in tolls from where I live, what I save on driving to Borders once will buy me an ebook from Baen or BVC. And the nearest used bookstore that has anything other than thousands upon thousands of romance novels is even further away.

I don't have an ebook reader because I'm rich; I have one because I'm not. It's the tool I need to access my primary form of entertainment in the most economical fashion.

I agree where I live after a hurricane we lost the only book store left here and the nearest one is about an hour or so away so for me an e book is the best way for me to read aside from ordering online which can get pricey. This ass needs to STFU because if we still had a book store where I live I wouldn't have bothered to get an e reader. I won't be buying anything he writes ever also I'd like to knee him in the crotch for his stupidly wonder how he'd feel about that.

pshrynk · 06-25-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenLee

I think people are taking his statement too literally.

He doesn't really want to punch you in the face. That's just something you say about people you feel are doing something wrong. His problem is that he feels elitism itself is wrong and has mistakenly made the connection between elitism and ebook readers. While there may be a connection in some circles, I think most just want to read and are not trying to feel superior by owning these devices.

Okay, so, this is the internet we're talking about... [sarcasm] Voices of reason have no place here, buddy! [/sarcasm]

Yeah, it's a colloquialism that in print is easily transliterated to actual desire. And I think your point about his being mistaken is spot on.

Kali Yuga · 06-25-2010, 04:34 PM

I hate to armchair mod, but this little quip is from last year.

It's over, done, discussed ad infinitum. Just let it go.

BenLee · 06-25-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I hate to armchair mod, but this little quip is from last year.

It's over, done, discussed ad infinitum. Just let it go.

Good point. I just thought I'd jump into this pile of fun since someone resurected it.

kindlekitten · 06-25-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenLee

I think people are taking his statement too literally.

He doesn't really want to punch you in the face. That's just something you say about people you feel are doing something wrong. His problem is that he feels elitism itself is wrong and has mistakenly made the connection between elitism and ebook readers. While there may be a connection in some circles, I think most just want to read and are not trying to feel superior by owning these devices.

no, he DID want to have fist to face action going, he has chilled. a bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I hate to armchair mod, but this little quip is from last year.

It's over, done, discussed ad infinitum. Just let it go.

yeah, we know that. happens all the time. I've brought it up before, nothing is ever done. just call it newbie ed 101

TheOn3LeftBehind · 07-02-2010, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I hate to armchair mod, but this little quip is from last year.

It's over, done, discussed ad infinitum. Just let it go.

Doesn't mean he's still not an asshole? He probably still thinks the same damn thing as he did last year. People as much of a jackass as him don't change.

Maggie Leung · 07-02-2010, 04:08 AM

I get his elitist perspective, though I don't agree with it. Growing up without much money, I still found ways to read plenty. As for wanting to hit someone, OK, as long as you don't act on it. Otherwise, I will do as much damage as possible to the offending party, especially if I'm packing. He made the statement; doesn't matter to me when he said it.

TheOn3LeftBehind · 07-02-2010, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

He made the statement; doesn't matter to me when he said it.

Thank you!! Again, people like that DON'T change!

Worldwalker · 07-02-2010, 06:42 PM

So, a year later, has he yet unleashed a rant against the owners of televisions, computers, video game systems, MP3 players, stereos, bicycles, cars, houses, and other elite toys?

TheOn3LeftBehind · 07-09-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

So, a year later, has he yet unleashed a rant against the owners of televisions, computers, video game systems, MP3 players, stereos, bicycles, cars, houses, and other elite toys?

Who's to say he wont? The only reason he made that non-apologetic "apology" was because people emailed his damn publishers. Same with celebrities. The ONLY reason they "apologize" is because they don't want to lose money.

Sinthor · 07-11-2010, 02:45 AM

I'm sure this guy will come around as ebook sales continue to climb. He won't want to miss out on that revenue stream. ESPECIALLY as the royalty percentages to authors are larger with much of the digital publishing realm. In any case, he sure made himself sound like a tool. I'm not even talking about the 'hitting a woman' part, but just his fear of ebooks in general. Sounds to me like people who used to rail against computers and "swear" they'd never give up their typewriters!

JSWolf · 07-11-2010, 09:21 AM

Can we please just let this thread die a natural death? Whoever resurrected it should be forced to spend the day with Alexie.

Anyway, as for this thread....

pilotbob · 07-11-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Can we please just let this thread die a natural death? Whoever resurrected it should be forced to spend the day with Alexie.

Anyway, as for this thread....

The thread won't die if you post a "let this thread die" message. That will bump it to the top of the list of new messages. So, I'm guessing you really don't want this thread to die.

BOb

Worldwalker · 07-11-2010, 10:50 PM

If people want to discuss something, why shouldn't they?

happy_terd · 07-12-2010, 12:56 AM

I missed this whole thread. Can someone sum it up for me in a few short lines???

07-11-2010, 02:45 AM	#206
Sinthor Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 2	What an idiot. I'm sure this guy will come around as ebook sales continue to climb. He won't want to miss out on that revenue stream. ESPECIALLY as the royalty percentages to authors are larger with much of the digital publishing realm. In any case, he sure made himself sound like a tool. I'm not even talking about the 'hitting a woman' part, but just his fear of ebooks in general. Sounds to me like people who used to rail against computers and "swear" they'd never give up their typewriters!

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06-25-2010, 04:34 PM	#198
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	I hate to armchair mod, but this little quip is from last year. It's over, done, discussed ad infinitum. Just let it go.

07-02-2010, 04:08 AM	#202
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	I get his elitist perspective, though I don't agree with it. Growing up without much money, I still found ways to read plenty. As for wanting to hit someone, OK, as long as you don't act on it. Otherwise, I will do as much damage as possible to the offending party, especially if I'm packing. He made the statement; doesn't matter to me when he said it.

07-02-2010, 06:42 PM	#204
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	So, a year later, has he yet unleashed a rant against the owners of televisions, computers, video game systems, MP3 players, stereos, bicycles, cars, houses, and other elite toys?

07-11-2010, 09:21 AM	#207
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,428 Karma: 145491800 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Can we please just let this thread die a natural death? Whoever resurrected it should be forced to spend the day with Alexie. Anyway, as for this thread....

07-11-2010, 10:50 PM	#209
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	If people want to discuss something, why shouldn't they?

07-12-2010, 12:56 AM	#210
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	I missed this whole thread. Can someone sum it up for me in a few short lines???