Of course books aren't going away. Books have withstood the test of time, what makes anyone think they're going any time soon? Consider this: there is a lot of new technology coming out and new ways to take in the information you can get from books already. There is the internet, ebooks, audio books, and several other forms of media. Sony even released a digital reader for ebooks. Despite this, print books are still around and going strong.
The Sony eBook Reader: Reading for Morons
Okay for those who still can't wrap their head around why books will stay despite these "advances" in form, think about the costs.
Yes, ebooks themselves are cheaper than you average books. For example, you can find an audio book version of The DaVinci Code at ebooks.com for $10.17, plus shipping.
But if you compare prices on Amazon.com, you can find that you can also get the same book in paperback, new, for $2.20, plus shipping. Even with the shipping, the book is cheaper on Amazon. And if you wish, you can buy a used copy for $0.70.
Now let’s take a look at the form.
A paperback book is completely portable. Whether you're going to the DMV to get your license renewed, or just enjoying a good book at home, you can bring your book. It is small, portable, and convenient.
Now consider ebooks. Unless you have a portable ebooks reader, essentially the only place you can read an ebook is on a computer screen. Bear in mind that the screen backlit, so there is light shining in your eyes constantly. Also consider that most backgrounds are white, so the full amount of light that is possible is shining into your eyes at all time. I don't know about anyone else but if I had to read a book like this, I would go batshit insane.
Now lets say you want a portable ebook reader so ebooks are portable and convenient, all is well right?
Wrong. Wrong.
In the same CNet article I linked to above about the Sony ebook Reader, it says retail for its reader is $299 to $399.
...
Fuck that. $300 minimum. MINIMUM. In order to have the convenience of a paperback book, you have to buy a 300 fucking dollar ebook reader. Let’s do the math.
$7 for an average ebook.
$11 for an average paperback book, if bought brand new.
There is a $4 difference.
$300 for an ebook reader.
How many times does $4 go into $300?
75
What does this all mean? It means that in order for an ebook reader to be worth the $300 dollars rather than just buying the paperback book, you would have to buy 75 ebooks, of which, you can't let a friend to borrow because they're too broke to afford an ebook reader. And you can't buy an ebook for a friend for a gift, unless you wanted to end your friendship (or at least I would.)
And this is with cheapest possible ebook reader and the most expensive possible paperback book on Amazon. It’s a no contest.
Now compare it to music media. Why did compact discs replace records, 8 tracks, and cassette tapes?
Why Cassette tapes and 8 Tracks?
Cassette tapes and 8 tracks were fucking expensive to manufacture. Take CDs now which can be bought for $0.30 by the public and even less by CD manufacturing companies.
Why Records?
Convenience. You can't play a record in a car. Durability. It’s a lot easier to shatter a record or even scratch it than it is to damage a CD. And again, costs.
Unlike CDs, all "advances," in the form of books aren't really advances at all. Advances make things easier, better, cheaper. All that ebooks and ebook readers are doing to books is making them electronic, which isn't an advancement at all. If some made a tire for a car out of steel rather than rubber, they're not making an advancement in the car industry. They're being a dumbass. Just because a tire is made out of a material that is sturdier doesn't mean that it will suit the purpose the tire is made for. Same thing goes for ebooks. They don't suit any purpose other than for people to say "Look, I was stupid enough to buy an ebook!"
It should be made a law that anyone with an ebook reader should have their ass kicked on basic principle.
2 comments:
Come on, tell us what you really think! :-)
Just kidding. Another excellent post. Lots of research and links. Terrific!
"Yes, ebooks themselves are cheaper than you average books."
Haha! I found a mispelled word! Ah, the sweet smell of vindication. Of course, I am just pulling your leg. I am seriously jealous of how many shout-outs you are getting.
Just one, all I want is one. OK, that's not true. I am like Pavlov's dog when it comes to performance. I need reward. Anyways, your posts are awesome as usual and I love how you say Fuck and still get the bloggie of the week(my own invented blog award). Keep up the good posts!
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