Comments on: Sherman Alexie Clarifies “Elitist” Charges

By: More Book Business Links « deborahb

More Book Business Links « deborahb — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:24:54 +0000

[...] a) “All sorts of middle-class folks agree with the billionaire owners of sports teams that the millionaire players make too much money.” Good point, Sherman Alexie. Some interesting questions raised here about the effect of the current eReader gold rush on culture, especially for poor kids, in: Sherman Alexie Clarifies “Elitist” Charges [...]

By: pcarson

pcarson — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:15:10 +0000

I hadn’t thought of buying a Kindle, but when I got one for my birthday, I was excited. I found that I could get out of print books, which I couldn’t find in the library, and could only find available for purchase at prices well above $100. I could get them on the Kindle for free or for 99 cents if I wanted them indexed. I have arthritis in my hands and have a hard time with heavy books, but the Kindle never gets heavy. And I can change the type size to fit my old eyes. When I am reading a printed book (of which we own many), I miss the built-in dictionary. I think electronic textbooks could be a real boon to students, who could bring all of their textbooks home for study in a backpack which wouldn’t weigh them down and give them back trouble. Change is inevitable, and sometimes actually improves the lives of people, as the Kindle does for some of old-timers.

By: Bryony

Bryony — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:00:44 +0000

Reading this makes me so happy. I really hope there are more people like him. I couldn’t bear a life without real books.

By: amy

amy — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:43:47 +0000

Please just stop for a moment. Stop- for once- disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing and bowing to technology for the sake of that and actually think about what Alexie is saying here. Yes, you may like your new Kindle (or whatever your device is called). Yes, you may feel fine and dandy about purchasing all those ebooks. But there are issues to be considered with any major change in media delivery. You may not want to think of it but in fact small bookstores do not stay open just to make us feel good; they must make money; they must sell books to stay in business. Also, a book on paper is readable by anyone who’s been taught to read so long as the pages are mostly white with dark print and most of the pages stay attached, where electro devices require energy, (you do pay for that too, you know) as well as a working device. Not everyone has equal access to these, sorry to tell you. It is true that at the end of the day we all may need to acknowledge and just get used to the idea of Kindle, etc, but we should not delude ourselves that there are not trade-offs here.

By: Kindle-mania « Brianrayfiction's Blog

Kindle-mania « Brianrayfiction's Blog — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:14:06 +0000

[...] Kindle and think, “Wow, expensive gadget. I’d better not read this on an airplane or Sherman Alexie will punch me in the face.” Then the idea occurs within the first ten minutes that downloading all of my books for [...]

By: DannyJane

DannyJane — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:13:05 +0000

While I agree that reading an actual book is a more tactile experience than reading same book on Kindle, for those of us who get involved in large volumes and who also travel or like to read on our lunch hours, carrying a book around can be a massive inconvenience or even physically risky. I had to purchase large handbags to tote my books. The weight of said books dragged one shoulder down and caused a significant amount of back strain.

The weight of the Kindle is negligible and I only need to shop for bags that have a Kindle-sized pocket somewhere. I can read any sized book with no physical strain. In addition a number of my friends are prolific amateur writers. I have the added advantage of being able to download my friends’ writings and not waste paper by printing it out so I can read it away from the computer is an added bonus. Frankly, the loss of the tactile experience of touching paper or the missing musty smell are, to me, small prices to pay.

And the Kindle has paid for itself in the savings between the cost of electronic vs. hardbound books–and even some paperbacks.

And I can still read my paper books at home accompanied by fuzzy socks, soft music and a cup of cocoa.

By: DannyJane

DannyJane — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:11:14 +0000

The weight of the Kindle is negligible and I only need to shop for bags that have a Kindle-sized pocket somewhere. I can read any sized book with no physical strain. There added advantage of being able to download my friends’ writings and not waste paper by printing it out so I can read it away from the computer is an added bonus. Frankly, the loss of the tactile experience of touching paper or the missing musty smell are, to me, small prices to pay.

And the Kindle has paid for itself in the savings between the cost of electronic vs. hardbound books–and even some paperbacks.

And I can still read my paper books at home accompanied by fuzzy socks, soft music and a cup of cocoa.

By: Gregory Mose

Gregory Mose — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:44:49 +0000

As an author who, unlike Mr. Alexie, has not secured big corporate publisher backing, I see ebooks as a way of leveling the playing field. I don’t need a company to fork over the production and distributions costs – instead, I can be as controversial or experimental or banal as I like and then self-publish in ebook format. This allows me access to the marketplace of ideas without having to sell out to a corporation. Ebooks will never replace physical books, but they will, I think, increase boosk sales overall, and specifically increase them for lesser-known authors. On the subject of small book stores and the “personal touch,” I too mourn their slow agonizing disappearance. But it’s not the Kindle doing that. Let’s keep in mind that even on Amazon ebooks account for only 6% of units sold. What makes life impossible for small books stores is the combination of internet sales of physical books and the advent of chain stores such as Barnes and Noble, who have helped drive the “blockbuster” model of publishing. Ebooks at least provide increased access to the market for authors who write mid-list books that don’t have ‘blockbuster’ potential. Want to save the personal element in literature? Don’t buy Twilight at Walmart or B&N. Buy something from a little known author and email your friends if you like what he/she has written. Email the author him/herself. No, it’s not the corner bookstore, but it’s real, and it’s the way things are headed.

By: I love my Amazon Kindle, but. . . . « The Business of Words

I love my Amazon Kindle, but. . . . « The Business of Words — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:52:47 +0000

[...] see the downside, though. Sherman Alexie has noted that the Kindle is expensive and therefore elitist, as the poor cannot afford it or even gain access to it. I wonder then, if this becomes an issue [...]

By: Books: Dead or not? | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home

Books: Dead or not? | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:08:18 +0000

[...] famously remarked on seeing someone reading a Kindle on the plane and wanting to hit her, causing a brief furor in blogging [...]

By: Sherman Alexie is an Ignorant Douchebag « Questing for Atlantis

Sherman Alexie is an Ignorant Douchebag « Questing for Atlantis — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:17:36 +0000

[...] while Reina thinks his later elaboration help redeem him, I don’t think so. They may make him seem a little less a douchebag, but they [...]

By: Please don’t hit me, Sherman Alexie. « small rectangular objects

Please don’t hit me, Sherman Alexie. « small rectangular objects — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:38:59 +0000

[...] running water when my mother grew up walking to a community well every day. Now I’m glad he clarified some of his ideas, because I suppose his greatest concern is that the literacy/educational gap will widen even [...]

By: Twitted by darrenlonefight

Twitted by darrenlonefight — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:23:35 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by darrenlonefight [...]

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:40:49 +0000

Stick it to the man!

You’re so right. I live on the Crow Indian Reservation. One of the doctors here at the lovely IHS decided to start a used book program. During a visit you can take one. They can be about any number of things. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taken one! Plus I buy from thrift stores. $200 worth for $10. And the knowledge is priceless. Fight the good fight. I got your back.

By: Books I’ve Read in June 2009 « moonlit garden

Books I’ve Read in June 2009 « moonlit garden — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:40:44 +0000

[...] Interview with Sherman Alexie about Amazon’s Kindle. [...]

By: BookieMonster's Opinion on E-books and Digital Publishing. | BookieMonster

BookieMonster's Opinion on E-books and Digital Publishing. | BookieMonster — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:07:48 +0000

[...] and why the current debate seems to be creating a lot of tension and anxiety (here’s one extreme example from author Sherman Alexie. “The more I write, the more I’ve come to realize that books have a different place in [...]

By: The Book Is Dying: Part ∞ « Vintage Books

The Book Is Dying: Part ∞ « Vintage Books — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:42:00 +0000

[...] and other e-readers was voiced through author Sherman Alexie’s disgust for the “elitist” (among other things) form, but Constant offers some hope that I think bears [...]

By: Sherman Alexie on the Elitism of the Kindle « SONYA CHUNG

Sherman Alexie on the Elitism of the Kindle « SONYA CHUNG — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:40:37 +0000

[...] Edward Champion’s “Reluctant Habits,” Sherman Alexie elaborates on his much-quoted attack on the Kindle as [...]

By: Lass

Lass — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:25:49 +0000

think this is much ado about nothing…buy it, don’t buy it, whatever. Alexie’s comments have clearly been blown out of proportion by people who take their technology way too seriously. In Alexie’s defense, I would also like to add that I frequently feel like hitting my airplane seatmates – for much lesser crimes than using a Kindle.

By: News for June 12 | Xenia Institute

News for June 12 | Xenia Institute — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:11:37 +0000

[...] Sherman Alexie Clarifies “Elitist” Charges | Edward Champion’s Reluctant Habits As noted by Kassia Kroszer and others, Sherman Alexie recently expressed some controversial remarks in relation to the eReader. At a BookExpo panel, Alexie called the Amazon Kindle “elitist” and said that he wanted to hit a woman sitting on a plane who was using a Kindle on her flight to New York. [...]

By: yasubu » Blog Archive » The Future of Reading.

yasubu » Blog Archive » The Future of Reading. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:46:51 +0000

[...] would criticize that eBook-eReader technology invokes elitism and further technological information-education gap to the poor. Granted, and that’s where a subscription and public libraries carrying units would benefit [...]

By: indigitis · Thoughts on Sherman Alexie’s criticism of eBooks

indigitis · Thoughts on Sherman Alexie’s criticism of eBooks — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:41:29 +0000

[...] some reason, I get a similar feeling when I read Sherman Alexie say stupid things about people reading Kindles. Not only does it miss the point entirely, it causes us to question him more than the point he was [...]

By: Kick Him, Honey » Blog Archive » Mark Sarvas on the Kindle

Kick Him, Honey » Blog Archive » Mark Sarvas on the Kindle — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:27:06 +0000

[...] Sarvas has come to the defense of the Kindle, taking aim at “stupid” writers — meaning, Sherman Alexie (here for my take) — who carp about the [...]

By: Thomas Riggs & Company Blog Missoula Montana independent book publishing virtual office publishers trends new media emerging technologies software

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:53:47 +0000

[...] he saw a woman reading a Kindle. According to article, Alexie, who thinks Kindles are elitist, “wanted to hit” the [...]

By: The Kindle vs. The Book vs. the Internet (to an extent) « Project Dust World

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:45:33 +0000

[...] 9, 2009 · No Comments Okay, first things first: Check out this interview of Sherman Alexie by Edward Champion. I had no idea before reading this article via the New Pages blog who these two fellas [...]

By: oliver optic

oliver optic — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:22:28 +0000

It is not Jeff Bezo’s job to make the kindle available to everyone who cannot afford one any more than it was Henry Ford’s obligation to make cars available to the same people. There have always been poor people and there always will be. So we cannot innovate, create or explore until we all are equal? Gee Columbus never would have sailed because there were folks wanting. (Sorry Alexie bad metaphor). Face it folks the world is changing especially in the gloom and doom world of books. I remember when the mall stores were going take over the book selling world, when the killer B’s were going to reduce what people read. Well we still have independents and more books are being published than ever. What’s unfortunate is that one guy is getting to make those decisions. Alexie I do not have a HDTV but I would sure not want to hit you if I saw you watching yours. It’s about change, you can get on the bus, it will pass you by, or you can get run over.

By: Richard Grayson

Richard Grayson — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:15:57 +0000

After reading half of these comments, I did a word search for “Nazi” and didn’t find it. I did find “fascist” but it was not addressed to anyone. Comes closest: ” But when the brown shirts come for you – ”

This is progress.

By: Emmet

Emmet — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:29:14 +0000

It doesn’t look like this audience is aware, but Amazon has made an iPhone plug-in that allows users to read their Kindle books on the iPhone. iPhones are only $199 these days.

Looks like Amazon is already in the process of making this technology more widely and less expensively available. Seems like a pretty good commitment to getting this out to more people to me.

By: Alexie on the Kindle « Turtle Talk

Alexie on the Kindle « Turtle Talk — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:18:58 +0000

[...] From Ed Champion’s blog: [...]

By: Denise Hill

Denise Hill — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:34:54 +0000

I agree that the Kindle is elitist in the sense of the Matthew Principle of education – the haves will continue to get and benefit, while the have-nots will continue to be shut out. However, this is the trend in technology. It starts at upper levels, and eventually “trickles down” to benefit more of society. We all currently benefit from medical technologies that at their inception were limited to “elite” groups. I don’t believe our culture will ever have a level playing field. The human nature we have nutured is far too self-cenetered on that matter.

Alexie does shift his focus from access to author, however, in the comments re: audio text. I find it somewhat contradictory that he would be resistent to this form. While I do understand his argument, there are people with disabilities in our society who benefit greatly from books in forms other than print. While the printed text may well be the intended art form, for some, their only access is audio. The reader/listener will create their own sense of art from the work, and the author needs to allow that, not shut it out or try to control it.

I have worked with numerous text readers, and one of the tech benefits with Kindle is the reader. For people with disabilities, the Kindle is actually more affordable and easier to use than many other readers on the market, especially given its portability.