Barnes & Noble is rumoured to be sold to the highest bidder. Supposedly B&N is not doing well because of competition from digital media such as Amazon, Kindle, and now the iPad, and of course, ordinary computers. Electronic books can be downloaded for low prices in a few minutes. Is this the reason? Is B&N really now a "backwater technology"?
What if all newspapers, books, and book stores disappeared in a few years due to the easier and cheaper availability of digital media and readers? This is not very realistic as there will be people who love newspapers and books for many years to come. But eventually, yes, books and newspapers will probably be no more, except in collectors libraries. Start collecting first editions now?
Will we miss the printed word in a few years? I doubt it. How many people miss the horse and buggy while they are riding around in their swanky air conditioned 300 horse power automobiles?
Smart business people will be thinking of ways to take advantage of the situation and make fortunes on the new digital media. (I am trying to get started with this and other blogs.)
In the meantime, enjoy your books and newspapers, if you do, and also have fun with your iPad or Kindle.
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