Comments on: The Wave of Digital Creativity in Books

By: M.W.counts

M.W.counts — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:00:47 +0000

If you do the math, the device is expensive, books are slightly discounted, newspapers a bit more so, but in the end, with a cold, rational look, you can’t really justify the expense. That’s what I figured and decided in a moment of “irrational exuberance” to buy one nonetheless. I’ve had it for only 2 days but I can say that, from a reading standpoint, it’s a transformative experience. The device and the store are designed well-enough that they are likely to make you read more because it’s so easy to sample no matter where you are.

I grew up a strong reader and have regarded to this day books as objects that border on the sacred, holding knowledge, opening the gates of imagination. In a way, the kindle is the rise of the profane. The “object” book loses its status, disappears to let the contents appear. While the screen could be bigger and the refresh rate faster, it’s already feels like a taste of what reading will be about in 10 years.

Back to more earthly matters, things I don’t like about the kindle are the fact that you essentially lease books, and that, 3 years from now, the device will be utterly obsolete. Still a trend is started and it’s an exciting one.

By: Lenore Buth

Lenore Buth — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:21:08 +0000

Your wave anology fits perfectly, Steve. Sometimes I feel I’m drowning in the constant procession of technology innovations. Anyone else ever feel that way?

By: Sharon Ball

Sharon Ball — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:59:32 +0000

I’ve heard about the vook, but I haven’t heard about the QR-code. It’s amazing how rapidly technology is changing the way we receive and interact with printed material. I’m glad I stopped by your blog today to get the scoop on the latest and greatest.

By: Lynn Rush

Lynn Rush — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:52:06 +0000

Interesting post. The analogy of the wave seems to fit very well.

By: Lea Ann McCombs

Lea Ann McCombs — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:25:12 +0000

It’s certainly going to take a new kind of thinking to reach this new generation of over-technologized(?) kids. I’m impressed with how fast these companies are keeping up and we’ll never know how well one idea works over another until all the stats are in.

I still prefer good old hardback books with actual paper and print. Leave the action heros for the theatres.

By: Lynnda Ell

Lynnda Ell — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:27:25 +0000

My nine year-old granddaughter would rather watch a movie than to read. If the synergy between technologies can encourage her to read more, then bring it on! I want to see our love affair with well written stories continue into the next generation.

Thanks, Steve, for the peek into the future.

Be blessed,

Lynnda

By: Marsha Crockett

Marsha Crockett — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:37:49 +0000

Is it fair to say that publishers still need good authors even though the delivery, application and mobility of the product is changing? I guess any authors who get caught up in these publishing “experiments” simply need to have fun, hang on and ride it out.

By: Ellie Kay

Ellie Kay — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:07:03 +0000

This was an interesting blog, Steve. The analogy of the wave is perfect, the technology can just throw you to the rocks if you do not try to understand it and catch it just right.

By: Rich Bullock

Rich Bullock — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:19:17 +0000

Good thoughts, Steve. Good to see some pubs waking up to the digital changes. As an avid ebook reader, this is an interesting topic for me.

By: Karen Robbins

Karen Robbins — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:41:08 +0000

I’m trying to picture all of this going on at a beach somewhere. Wonder what the vacationer will carry to the shore to read while lolling on the sand?

The speed at which technology takes off sometimes is truly overwhelming.