This document discusses the emergence of new technologies like the phonograph record, downloading music, and e-books. It notes how new technologies were initially resisted by some who feared it would negatively impact existing industries and jobs, but that over time arguments against new technologies seem ridiculous as those technologies become widely adopted and the industries adapt. The document also directly states that debates around whether e-publishing will overtake print are not debatable, and that resistance to abandoning paper for e-books will seem similarly ridiculous in 100 years as arguments for keeping horses over automobiles now.
17. I imagine that argument was
made by musicians complaining
about the emergence of the
phonograph record in the early
20th century. If people can buy
our music once and listen to it
forever, they won't pay to see
us perform. How will we make
money? All the good musicians
will quit making music. Present
day musicians revived that fear
when downloading technology
came in the picture
18. Many writers and industry analysts are
debating if e-publishing will
conquer print publishing (various article links
below). If is not debatable.When and how are
The resistance to abandoning paper is like the
resistance to abandoning horses. Arguments to
preserve paper – the feel of the book, the
durability, less risk of reading in the tub – will
seem as ridiculous in 100 years as arguments
to preserve horses for transportation seem
now.