Ever-increasing choice was supposed to mean the end of the blockbuster.

BenG · 01-10-2010, 04:39 AM

A world of hits
Nov 26th 2009
From The Economist print edition

http://www.economist.com/displaystor...ry_id=14959982

An interesting comment on book reviews:

Quote:

A lot of the people who read a bestselling novel, for example, do not read much other fiction. By contrast, the audience for an obscure novel is largely composed of people who read a lot. That means the least popular books are judged by people who have the highest standards, while the most popular are judged by people who literally do not know any better. An American who read just one book this year was disproportionately likely to have read “The Lost Symbol”, by Dan Brown. He almost certainly liked it.

Mike L · 01-10-2010, 06:20 AM

Good point.

It also explains those polls of the "hundred greatest movies of all time" and similar stuff. When film critics are polled, they usually choose the likes of Citizen Kane as their top choice. But if the poll is from members of the public, they tend to choose the latest box office hits. I guess it would be the same with books.

zerospinboson · 01-10-2010, 08:22 AM

Thanks.

lilac_jive · 01-10-2010, 08:51 AM

Interesting, thanks. And in case anyone is curious, the Chris Andersen mentioned in the article also wrote the book "Free," which was a freebie a while back on most sites.

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01-10-2010, 06:20 AM	#2
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Good point. It also explains those polls of the "hundred greatest movies of all time" and similar stuff. When film critics are polled, they usually choose the likes of Citizen Kane as their top choice. But if the poll is from members of the public, they tend to choose the latest box office hits. I guess it would be the same with books.

01-10-2010, 08:22 AM	#3
zerospinboson "Assume a can opener..." Posts: 755 Karma: 1942109 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Local Cluster Device: iLiad v2, DR1000	Thanks.

01-10-2010, 08:51 AM	#4
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Interesting, thanks. And in case anyone is curious, the Chris Andersen mentioned in the article also wrote the book "Free," which was a freebie a while back on most sites.

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