say “no” to Kindle?

0 Comments

1. 

   Veronica

   4 Dec 2009 Reply

   I have the unique perspective of someone who is both a technology pro and a writer. My geeky side loves the technology and would have appreciated the kindle on my trip to Africa (instead of lugging books), yet the writer in me is indelibly linked to books. I love holding them, seeing them on my shelves and nothing is more enjoyable for me than a trip to the library or bookstore. Still, I can easily see a not so distant future, where the printed book may disappear.

2. 

   Neesha Meminger

   4 Dec 2009 Reply

   I don't think print books will disappear, either. There was talk of books being history when audio books first made it onto the scene, and when television gained the popularity that it did, but books have held on. My kids love holding real books in their hands, flipping the pages, and looking at the vivid illustrations.

   But I do get that carrying books around is a pain -- particularly hardcovers. So, for that, I think e-readers are very useful. I don't think I would ever refuse to have one of my books digitized, though. That could alienate some readers and those readers might have the most to gain by reading the words and experiences depicted in those books.

3. 

   Zetta

   4 Dec 2009 Reply

   Hey, ladies. Every time I see those Leap Frog electronic games I think, "Children's books could be heading that way." But it won't happen overnight, and I do think print books will continue to compete with e-books for a long time...as for Alexie's point about the financial side of things, I already know that authors make more money doing school visits and presentations than by selling books. If you're writing for money, you're writing for the wrong reason and I'd love to see more authors joining the public sphere, debating politics, advocating for arts funding, etc. That model won't work for everyone, but the model we have now isn't great, either--a handful of millionaire authors and the rest of us struggling in obscurity...

4. 

   Claudia

   5 Dec 2009 Reply

   I saw Alexie on Colbert too and I remember thinking that he raised some good points about the dangers of e-books that I hadn't considered, mainly about the personal connection between local writers and readers. I have the Kindle app on my iPhone and I use it quite often for the kind of books that you read once on the plane, beach, waiting room, etc. But when the e-book gets really good and I want to save and share parts of it, I have been known to seek out the hard copy too (like Foer's Eating Animals!) Still, I was surprised by how much I sympathized with Alexie - our way of encountering books is changing. I miss the excitement of holding a CD case and seeing the cover and liner notes, but I don't want to go back to the world before iTunes....

5. 

   elliottzetta

   5 Dec 2009 Reply

   Hey, Claudia! I didn't get Alexie's point on connection...whether you have a print copy or an e-book, readers will STILL want to hear an author speak...and personally, my least favorite part of being an author is signing books! So fewer books to sign is fine by me...however you access it, a good story does create interest in the storyteller; and technology is actually freaking some authors out b/c they're now more accessible than ever with blogs, websites, podcasts, etc. I think NOT embracing new technologies is the fastest way to ensure fewer people find your work...

6. 

   Claudia

   5 Dec 2009 Reply

   Okay, I see what you're saying. Technology, more generally, does seem to be one of the bigger issues here. I got the impression that Alexie was concerned about everyone's access to all these new ways of interacting with authors and books. Those who don't have a Kindle or the hardware and leisure to browse websites, podcasts, etc. will miss out. Maybe? Perhaps. I still have quite a few friends who don't even know what a "blog" is and many students who don't own a computer at home. Ack! Baby just spilled juice all over the table. Gotta go!

7. 

   elliottzetta

   5 Dec 2009 Reply

   how perfect! your little one made my point for me...ultimately, we still determine how human our interactions are and will be...if we LET technology change us in negative ways, it will--like teens I see texting at the table while their family's eating out at a restaurant. Look at the one child/one laptop program in parts of Africa...some are saying, "Children don't have food, they need clean water, not a laptop" but we don't have to frame things as either/or. I think if we continue to support public institutions--our schools, our libraries--then we insist that technology is for everyone. E-readers are coming down in price, you can buy a flip video camera for $150...most of my students here in NYC don't have a computer at home, but neither do folks in major cities in Africa, and they rely on internet cafes...Alexie seemed mostly worried about piracy and a change in the way books are sold, but standing OUTSIDE the processes of change means you don't participate IN the change (possibly directing it). I've found at least one Native American tribe that's developed their own website to counter negative propaganda: http://therezweliveon.com/10/home.html Assuming that marginalized people can't be empowered by the new technologies is a mistake, I think...claim it, own it, shape it to meet your needs...