"I don't believe in the existence of mercy's guiding hand..."

[greygirlbeast]

Apologies, kittens, for not replying to many comments the past two days. They've, the days, been sort of rough, and I've been neglectful. I have been reading all the comments.

The weather. Well, it's sort of kind of warm enough that my office window's open. It's 70˚F out there. Fahrenheit. In late June. If the sun would come out, it might feel

Comments

[mb2u]

Whenever things go missing, we always look under the cat. Not because he takes things, but because, somehow things just seem to end up there. We accept this as part of our reality.

[greygirlbeast]

Whenever things go missing, we always look under the cat. Not because he takes things, but because, somehow things just seem to end up there. We accept this as part of our reality.

Wow.

[robyn_ma]

I sympathize with your animosity towards the Kindle and the like, I honestly do. But I can think of one good purpose it might've served. If my mom, with her neurological disease causing shaky hands, erratic grip and poor eyesight, had lived to use the Kindle app on my iPad, she might have enjoyed getting to read books again. And my co-worker's son, who has severe mobility/dexterity issues and brain damage due to a car accident, could also benefit from it. (I've been hipping his mom to the world of digital comics.)

Not meaning to contradict you; I am as passionate about the look, feel, heft, smell of real books as you are (working in a library, I'd have to be). Mostly you see perfectly able-bodied yo-yos reading Kindles when they could have the real thing. But occasionally, just occasionally, they can be a Force for Good. I just wish I could've told someone like dear old Ray Bradbury, who stood foursquare against e-books except for Fahrenheit 451 near the end of his life: 'Mr. Bradbury, I completely understand your aversion. But meet

[greygirlbeast]

(I've been hipping his mom to the world of digital comics.)

Comics are the one thing that I see digital publishing improving.

Otherwise, large-print books com pined with various supports, they already did the job for the disabled, and were more environmentally friendly.

occasionally, just occasionally, they can be a Force for Good.

Like Vin Diesel.

But he can't, and by keeping most of your wonderful books out of e-publishing you're kind of turning your back on him and many others like him.

I know I'm an asshole, but that's my position (not that my publishers will buy books unless I sell them digital rights, and how's that for democracy?). I am simply, across the board, against. You know, I'll never get to visit the Eiffel Tower. Or climb Mount Everest. Or fuck a thousand-dollar whore, but that's the way the world goes. Regardless, the disabled are a TINY percentage of those "benefiting," probably far less than 1%. The publishing industry would never have done this for the disabled. Ever.

agree to disagree

[ext_1061372]

Yes Robyn_ma, that is why I like my sony reader so much; heavy books are too much for me to handle without pain.

BUT...I'm A-ok with Cait returning the gift and getting whatever she wants more. A gift is just that- A Happy Birthday message, and sometimes we don't always hit it right on the mark. My mom can't ever guess what size top to give me, either.

Re: agree to disagree

[greygirlbeast]

Glad you're cool about this.

and sometimes we don't always hit it right on the mark.

Which makes Amazon wish lists bow tie.

[ext_999196]

It's too bad Amazon wishlist doesn't allow you to pay for part of a present. If it were possible, many people could join together to pay for the $431.99 Dark Shadows set.

[greygirlbeast]

Yeah, that one's kind of over the top. She's acknowledged that. Still it is a *wish* list.

[thimbleofrain]

When it comes to moving someplace warm and on the water, remember that you'll still need decent healthcare. That's what keeps me from seriously considering Brazil. Too much time spent in India.

I've found that acting with integrity is usually its own reward, and punishment.

[greygirlbeast]

When it comes to moving someplace warm and on the water, remember that you'll still need decent healthcare. That's what keeps me from seriously considering Brazil. Too much time spent in India.

Well...that's valid point. Though, having zero health insurance, my healthcare likely approaches Third World, as is. In India, I could cheaply get many drugs OVER THE COUNTER that I pay a small fortune for, as prescriptions, here.

I've found that acting with integrity is usually its own reward, and punishment.

Yes.

[thimbleofrain]

If you've already been diagnosed, and your prescriptions are correct (in perpetuity), India may be a good place for getting what you need. But the quality of care there is not good.

No one has solved the healthcare dilemma. Except the wealthy.

[greygirlbeast]

No one has solved the healthcare dilemma. Except the wealth

Very true.

[aarongp]

The thing I find most detestable about ebook readers is people's blind acceptance. They are simply too terrified to say no to this "rolling juggernaut", even if they want to.
I think it comes down to people's fear of technology, that they are too lazy to research this stuff themselves and too chicken shit to decide to choose not to accept them.

I work in a library and every time I hear some goose placidly chime at me something about how it's the way things are going, I want to hurdle the desk and throttle their idiot-grinning neck, them scream at them--"No, you have a choice.'

re. the iPad stylus.
At least you'll know where to look next time you can't find something in particular.

[greygirlbeast]

The thing I find most detestable about ebook readers is people's blind acceptance. They are simply too terrified to say no to this "rolling juggernaut", even if they want to.
I think it comes down to people's fear of technology, that they are too lazy to research this stuff themselves and too chicken shit to decide to choose not to accept them.

I think it's not quite this simple. It's this, but you also have to factor in humanity's love of gizmos.

"No, you have a choice.'

Ah, but industry determines choice...

At least you'll know where to look next time you can't find something in particular.

Lots of weird things wind up in my underwear.