Kindle, Books, and Freedom

Ad ascribere libere de librarius

Recently, Amazon.com has released their new gismo called "Kindle." This neat little gadget has caused some book-readers some cheaper ways—and even innovative—to read books. Think about it: no pages; no occupied room (including newer book shelves). But does this really help our "suffering" pockets to renovative ways to save a dollar? Some would gladly consider this an indomitable way to reading without the mess (expensive bookshelves and the like).

There was another surprising yet buttressing issue that I read. Although some enthused about this new device, others are not too excited about the nature of this new fad. Newsweek heralded this new device and reported that it might even replace books (in written form, of course)! When I read that, I was angry. But why would I want to get angry over something like this, a cheap inducing yet renovative device? Music, like the MP3 player, i.e., iPod, was getting much popularity with the music renovation. The difference between the iPod and the Kindle, however, is that one is not wishing to take over the industry of free book-writing. The Kindle becomes an arbiter as to what can be written and sold. The freedom of the market will even be limited as to what can be sold. This is just a stepping stone as to what can later happen as intellectualism will be dictated by the marketplace of ideas.

I would further add that even in the face of decrying this new device, that peoples' freedom is being challenged. Although the machine will, in fact, become cheaper—and note the selling of books too—it should dictate what books can and cannot be sold and, or written. This is clearly against reason, against our constitution, and against free living in a free country. We should not forget the heritage as Americans: a people who are free from the tyranny of the masses and a king. Boycott this new device and its tyranny in the marketplace of ideas and practically. Unlike the iPod, this machine wants to take over the minds of children and adults alike.

The title, for those of you who don't read Latin (I don't either, but I'm still learning), it means "concerning the freedom of writing books" or "concerning free-writing of books." I think there's no other way to put it. We are people made to freely express ourselves. Our freedom from tyranny is always our job to protect. The Kindle is just another tyrant waiting to exploit our freedom.