The Paradigm Shift

My morning routine (at least on my days off) used to start off with reading The Wall Street Journal (paper edition) while sipping coffee.  During the day I would often read actual books (physical things with paper) and even magazines.

It’s amazing how fast this type of stuff is changing.  I now get my financial news online.  I love the WSJ.com but they recently started charging (which is a good idea because their content is definitely worth something), but since I’m cheap I now go to free sites.  As I’ve stated frequently on this blog, I own a Kindle and that’s how I read the vast majority of my books (and I read more than ever).

Just recently, one of the magazines I subscribed to off-and-on over the years has gone digital as well, and I dig it.  Creative Screenwriting now offers a digital version at a reduced rate.  I just read my first digital copy using their online reader and it’s pretty nifty.  I don’t think I’ll order a physical version anymore.

I don’t have an iPad, and I don’t plan on getting one anytime soon, but there’s a whole generation of kids growing up that will use that device (or similar devices like the Kindle DX) to read their books.  It’s a tremendous paradigm shift that will change the landscape of media forever.

I like it, because it’s going to give people ever greater access to what they want and that’s usually a very good thing.  I just hope that piracy doesn’t cause as much damage to the publishing industry as I think it will…