“…his reactionary rejection of new technology is disheartening”

Where’s the “reactionary rejection”? He’s talking about the challenges that electronic publishing and retailing present as the publishing industry adjusts to them. What is reactionary about pointing out the problems of new technologies? Where’s the “rejection” in

“The future of much of the industry will be dominated by electronic distribution, internet marketing to niche audiences, and reading by print-on-demand or hand-held electronic devices. There is opportunity as well as challenge in this model.”

Who is Gideon Lewis-Kraus? From my perspective he is nothing but a deluded purveyor of an agenda no one is buying into. He is his own audience and an audience of one is not an opinion made. He won’t be missed in Frankfurt because he is a nasty piece of work with no substance.

Just want to say I love the writing of Rohinton Mistry; just home from 5 week trip with family to India, read Such a Long Journey which I love and have read A Fine Balance which I loved also. so interesting to be in India, reading, etc. I am American who reads alot, love Indian authors, Vikram Seth, etc.

I couldn’t finish the Harper’s piece. Very disappointing. Almost totally without substance. The Robinson piece is excellent. I especially liked this:

“People bowl alone, shop online, abandon cinemas for DVDs, and chat to each other electronically rather than go to a bar. In an increasingly self-centred society a premium is placed on being heard rather than listening, being seen rather than watching, and on being read rather than reading.”

Interesting take on the internet generation.