Amazon shrinks books with Kindle Singles • The Register

As the world's attention span continues to shrink, Amazon plans to introduce a breed of Kindle e-texts that are no longer than "a few chapters" of those hefty analog books that a few people still bother to read.

These "Kindle Singles" will have their own category in the Kindle ebook store, and they will be priced "much less" than old-fashioned lengthy books.

But Amazon doesn't want you to think that's dumbing-down world culture. "Today’s announcement is a call to serious writers, thinkers, scientists, business leaders, historians, politicians and publishers to join Amazon in making such works available to readers around the world," the company's press release reads.

via theregister.co.uk

Finally, I've been saying this in numerous book-reviews: There are tons of books that are far too long for their single, however bright, idea. I hope writers start using this and it becomes a popular medium!

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I know what I'll be doing this weekend

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Japan's middle-sized monopolies and why The Economist rocks

In the Nov 7th 2009 issue of The Economist there is an article called "Invisible but indispensable". It describes middle-class companies in Japan who are world-leaders in their own field - yet are virtually unknown to normal consumers.


Did you know that while there are about a half-dozen of companies you could turn to buy a Nuclear reactor, there is only one - Japan Steel Works - which is capable of creating the solid-steel vessel that contains the radioactive part?


Shimano, which at least bicycle-fans have heard of, supplies about 60-70% of the worlds bicycle gears. 75% of the motors for hard-disks come from a Japanese company called Nidec. The article goes on and describes the various technologies that Japanese companies are the best at and its basically all the most integral parts of making semi-conductors.


So while the electronics-giants such as Sony are struggling with Chinese competition, these middle-sized companies are still virtual monopolies when it comes to, especially, the high-end of their expertise.


The article continues to describe the challenges these types of companies are facing in the world and is all in all an excellent piece of journalism! It's exactly because of these types of articles The Economist is the best source for news and information you'll find and will keep me waiting for and trusting their weekly analysis of what is happening in the world.

Do yourself a favor, if you aren't already subscribing, next time you are traveling - buy The Economist instead of some shiny magazine. You'll feel smarter and more knowledgeable about the world you live in.

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In defence of the average novel

Here’s my thing: I don’t think reading novels should be hard work, not if the work isn’t dwarfed by the enjoyment you get from it. I don’t think books should be notches on an intellectual bedpost. I don’t think they should be used as the currency of culture – or cool – either.
via rowanmangan.com

Amen! Stop trying to be awesome by disliking "non-intellectual" books.

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Long time chemical engineering student back to get his degree. General IT specialist and people person.

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