I think this whole blog-to-book thing is only the logical extension of music (and now, thanks to broadband internet, video) piracy. Everyone in the big ol' media establishment is looking for ways to "monetize"* content that users are increasingly obtaining -- and, as such, increasingly expecting -- for free. Why buy the iTunes single if you can download it from Napster/Limewire/a bit torrent/whatever the illegal downloading mechanism d'jour is? Why buy the DVD if the entire first season of 30 Rock is available from a weird Chinese website? (Answer: Because sometimes when you really want to see Liz Lemon and friends, the Chinese website doesn't load and you're left watching the same 30 second opening gag on repeat until it does. Also, it's illegal, and 30 Rock will get cancelled it we don't declare our loven with dollars and/or credit cards).
But those savvy publishers have found a way to get back at us (although not necessarily a way that supports the industries that suffer from illegal downloading... not that the publishing industry is exactly flush right now): Making consumers pay for content they could get for free just by clicking through old blog archives, because the ability to click through old blog archives doesn't make for a very good gag gift for your friend on her birthday.
*I believe that's the word. If not, I'm sure my extensive readership in the big ol' media establishment will let me know.
1 comment:
it's also a validation for the blogger. Lot's of people make great music, lots of people make great movies, and write great stories but 99% of them won't feel like their work meant anything until its available in a common media form. I don't agree with it but it's true. art for arts sake and all that.
Post a Comment