Irregular Books

The big word going around TV land about publishing over the last few days has been the Kindle, an electronic reading device. Amazon is getting all twittery, and ahead of itself with big announcements about its debut:

“Today we at Amazon are excited to announce Kindle, a wireless portable reading device with instant access to more than 90,000 books, blogs, magazines and newspapers.”

Wow. I have to say that this is exactly something I’ve never felt the need for. I have never once thought, “Why can’t I read this book electronically, guddurnit?”

“Is there a way to get the emotions and experiences I love from books, but combined with the possibilities of advanced technology?”

This is like asking, “Is there a way to get the flavor I love from pizza, but combined with the possibilities of advanced technology?” Pizza doesn’t need to be combined with advanced technology. Neither do books… or your coffee… or your toothpaste… or your pillow.

“No computer is needed…”

Well, if no computer is needed, then what’s the point? What’s the point of getting information electronically, if you as the user are not then able to use and enhance it with the full power of a computer? If you’re just going to be a passive reader, like with a book, but use up batteries with the electricity in the Kindle, then why not just save the batteries and buy the book?

I already have access to magazines, newspapers, blogs and books with my laptop computer, which has wireless access and is portable, just like the Kindle. What is the Kindle bringing me that my computer can’t? Restrictions and limitations, that’s what.

The Kindle is the Segway of the book world.