Culture

Many Platforms, Many Choices: Gaming and Socialization

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I've been talking a lot about the role of socialization in media in the last few weeks.  I came to the conclusion that the social connection we get is usually more important than traits like originality (or at times, familiarity).  I based my theories off my various readings (such as Starstruck's theories on socializing), watching the phenomena, and pure intuition, and I believe in an abstract way, I really did hit on something.

My experience became less abstract recently, in a way that I think further confirms my basic theory: the ability to experience social ties with a media is a major part of what we choose.

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Books As History: Your New Sales Tool?

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So as we all know eBooks are selling like crazy.  Right now as we can read ebooks on multiple formats, on multiple devices, and save money, it's not surprising.  These eBook sales also bring up the usual question of what happens to print media (you know the one that comes up every few months)

As much as I love my Kindle and eBooks, I admit part of me wonders about the role permanence of the printed word.  A book can last.  A book can be read without a battery charger or a when locked out of an account.  A book is a record without strings attached.

So I'd like to postulate something that both sells more physical books and helps people appreciate them – something that may help you authors out there get your hard copies into people's hands.

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Book Review: The Price Of Everything

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The Price of Everything: Solving the Mystery of Why We Pay What We Do by Eduardo Porter
# ISBN-10: 1591843626
# ISBN-13: 978-1591843627

PROS:

  • Makes you think seriously about prices and economics on a variety of subjects.
  • Has fascinating historical and cultural insights, with plenty of references.
  • Asks – and answers – some hard economic questions.
  • Extremely readable and accessible.

CONS:

  • References are arranged in a hard, odd-to-use way.
  • At times the author's opinion intrudes on his analysis.
  • Discusses solutions to economic issues, but not in much depth.

SUMMARY: An accessible and thought-provoking look at how economics affects almost everything we do that's good for people who want a better handle on the psychology of our economic behaviors.

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