I think the 1962 dollars and the razor blades point both serve to paper over the main problem with the argument: Netflix is not free, and libraries are not driven by profit motive.
On 5/17/11, Keith Jenkins <k...@cornell.edu> wrote: > I always get suspicious when an author converts current prices into > 1962 dollars for no apparent reason, and without explanation. > > Keith > > > On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 11:22 AM, Roy Zimmer <roy.zim...@wmich.edu> wrote: >> I think 50 cents would be right in the ballpark. My earliest scifi >> paperbacks cost me that much, mid-60's. >> >> Roy Zimmer >> Waldo Library >> Western Michigan University >> >> >> On 5/17/2011 11:18 AM, Jonathan Rochkind wrote: >>> >>> On 5/16/2011 7:52 PM, Luciano Ramalho wrote: >>>> >>>> > And then we need to consider the rise of the Kindle. An ebook costs >>>> > about $1.60 in 1962 dollars. A thousand ebooks can fit on one device, >>>> >>>> 1) Why quote the ebook price in 1962 dollars? The reality in 2011 is >>>> that Kindle books in general are too expensive, particularly when >>> >>> Yeah, how much did a paperback book cost in 1962? 50 cents? $1? I >>> wasn't >>> alive then, but I bet $1.60 is expensive in 1962 dollars! >> > -- Matt Amory (917) 771-4157 matt.am...@gmail.com