I've thoroughly enjoyed Yglesias's writings on this topic, though I wonder why we have to make a binary choice. We're supposed to be in favor of Amazon, or in favor of Hachette/publishers. No grey areas. Pick a side.
How about neither? Or either/or, in different measures? Both sides have some good points and some questionable points. Both sides have clear agendas that are, more often than not, unexpressed in their public talking points.
I'm not trying to draw a false equivalence between the two. On the balance, I'm more inclined to support Amazon's arguments -- if largely because the publishers have been grabbing margin from their writers, and because their business practices haven't evolved with the times. That said, I don't savor the prospect of Amazon's total, end-to-end dominance of the book market. I'd like there to be Amazon and publishers in this world. Both sides can fulfill a vital function in bringing great books to the market, and making them available at reasonable prices. I'd just like the publishers of the future, whoever they might be, to modernize and adapt. I'd also like companies that have the ability to compete with Amazon as a bookseller (Apple, Google, etc.) to take another look at the book market. It's not the sexiest market in the world, from a total-revenue standpoint. But it's a decent-sized market, and it's a "gateway" market into other forms of media and entertainment. (I realize Apple has to tread carefully re: the book market these days).
How about neither? Or either/or, in different measures? Both sides have some good points and some questionable points. Both sides have clear agendas that are, more often than not, unexpressed in their public talking points.
I'm not trying to draw a false equivalence between the two. On the balance, I'm more inclined to support Amazon's arguments -- if largely because the publishers have been grabbing margin from their writers, and because their business practices haven't evolved with the times. That said, I don't savor the prospect of Amazon's total, end-to-end dominance of the book market. I'd like there to be Amazon and publishers in this world. Both sides can fulfill a vital function in bringing great books to the market, and making them available at reasonable prices. I'd just like the publishers of the future, whoever they might be, to modernize and adapt. I'd also like companies that have the ability to compete with Amazon as a bookseller (Apple, Google, etc.) to take another look at the book market. It's not the sexiest market in the world, from a total-revenue standpoint. But it's a decent-sized market, and it's a "gateway" market into other forms of media and entertainment. (I realize Apple has to tread carefully re: the book market these days).