Meghan McCain Uses a Kindle

[SpiderMatt]

I'm a journalism student as Arizona State and I covered a press conference with Meghan McCain a couple days ago just before she did a Q&A and book signing at a local indie bookshop here in Tempe called Changing Hands Bookstore. One of the other journalists asked her about e-books, but he had such a thick accent that it was hard to make out the question. But McCain had the following to say about e-books:

"I read... I'm, again, from a more modern, digital age, so I have a Kindle and I read on my Kindle and I read iBooks. I love having, like, physical books on my coffee table, but I travel a lot and it's just lighter, you know, carrying it in your suitcase and your handbag. So I use a Kindle."

She mentions iBooks but says nothing about having an iPad, which leads me to think that she's probably just using it on an iPhone.

McCain talks a lot about being a product of her generation not just in reference to her use of social networking sites and e-books but also concerning her views of the Republican party. She's known for her gay rights advocacy, which hasn't made her popular within the Republican party, but she believes (correctly, in my opinion) that it's a generational thing.

I find it interesting that she seems to find ebooks to be a generational thing, as well. That may be generally true, although I don't know how much dedicated ebook readers are generational. Dedicated eink readers can probably be credited with getting older generations interested in ebooks for the first time.

[HarryT]

Forgive the question, but who is Meghan McCain? An author?

[DDHarriman]

Hello

She looks to be this person referenced here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meghan_McCain

If she is, then she is also an author (2 books published), besides the blog thing and the rest…

Best regards,

[HarryT]

Thanks.

[SpiderMatt]

Yeah, sorry. Guess I should have explained that. She's been getting a lot of press lately here in the states. She's the daughter of John McCain, who ran against Obama in the 2008 election. Meghan recently released a book about her time on the campaign trail.

[HarryT]

Thanks, Matt; I've read the article on Wikipedia and she certainly sounds like an interesting person.

I was amused by your comment about the journalist's accent. A year or two ago I went on a coach tour on which there was a couple from Louisville, Kentucky. Very nice people, but we literally could not understand a word that each other said - I couldn't understand their "southern" accent and they couldn't understand my British accent. Luckily, though, there was someone sitting near us who was from New York, who was able to act as an interpreter .

[Maggie Leung]

I know who she is, but, shrug. I don't care who uses what. All that matters is whether something works for me, and I'd expect anyone with sense to use what works for him or her.

[SpiderMatt]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Thanks, Matt; I've read the article on Wikipedia and she certainly sounds like an interesting person.

I was amused by your comment about the journalist's accent. A year or two ago I went on a coach tour on which there was a couple from Louisville, Kentucky. Very nice people, but we literally could not understand a word that each other said - I couldn't understand their "southern" accent and they couldn't understand my British accent. Luckily, though, there was someone sitting near us who was from New York, who was able to act as an interpreter .

Haha. Good 'ol English vs American English. This reporter's first language wasn't English, though. I think he was French (I don't really remember), but regardless, the accent was really thick. I lived in Asia for three years while in the navy, so I got used to their broken English and I can converse with them no problem. But now I'm really bad with European accents, apparently. Go figure.

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I know who she is, but, shrug. I don't care who uses what. All that matters is whether something works for me, and I'd expect anyone with sense to use what works for him or her.

I guess what I found interesting about it was that she made it out to be a generational thing when I think that for the first time, e-books are really starting to transcend generations. I think the Kindle has been especially successful with this. When I got the Kindle 2, I gave the first one to my Dad. My step-mom was sad that it was nearly impossible to get him to share because he loved it so much. So last weekend I gave the Kindle 2 to my step-mom because I now have the Kindle 3. She LOVES it. She couldn't believe all the features it had on it, how easy it is to read, that she could resize text, and even listen to the book if wanted to. So I'm sure McCain would have a far easier time winning over her parents on e-books than, say, gay marriage. Haha.

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Forgive the question, but who is Meghan McCain? An author?

If you read her book you wouldn't call her an author. That would be an insult to authors everywhere. I gave up 1/2 way into the book, as it was the most poorly written piece of dreck I've had the misfortune to start. Whoever edited that book should be banned from any future work.

-Marcy

[Emmaleigh]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I know who she is, but, shrug. I don't care who uses what. All that matters is whether something works for me, and I'd expect anyone with sense to use what works for him or her.

I feel the same way.

[ChaseKR]

Being 17 years old, I never had the chance to grow fond of slices of dead tree bound together by cardboard, so yes, it's generational.

[JSWolf]

She is the daughter of John McCain. Don't you people get your heads off of MR once in a while?

[MR. Pockets]

Originally Posted by SpiderMatt

McCain talks a lot about being a product of her generation not just in reference to her use of social networking sites and e-books but also concerning her views of the Republican party. She's known for her gay rights advocacy, which hasn't made her popular within the Republican party, but she believes (correctly, in my opinion) that it's a generational thing.

Well, I disagree. I am ___ (# removed for privacy) (Yeah, not quite her generation but close) and I oppose the gay rights agenda (but no, I don't call homosexuals names.) (I also think that Senator McCain is rather liberal for a Republican.) So, not to debate it or anything, but I don't think it is a generational thing, but rather a personal morals thing.

It is also my impression that (at least on MR) a large portion of those using ebook readers (I almost put "ereaders" JSWolf! ) are older. (Say 50+). But that is just my impression.

[MV64]

What little I've seen or heard of her impresses me. I'm not a fan of the Republican party or the air-headed types running for office in the Democratic and tea parties. I'm not going to say I like her, because no doubt someone will dig up some ridiculous thing she's said over the years, but she seems to have her head on straight.

As for it being generational...I don't know. That seems to be conventional wisdom, but as a guy who sells the nook I see the market aimed at middle aged people more than younger.

[Freeshadow]

Don't you people get your heads off of MR once in a while?

As far as the verbal diarrhoe of politicians is concerned - only if they are currently in charge in a country i currently am physically present or in any way legally connected to, since they are currently able to screw my situartion/life/whatever up. As far as their SOs, offspring, or any other of the so called VIPs has to say - I don't give a s* about it.

I've signed the mainstream opt out when i was 12