Comments on: The Kindle vs. ‘information snacking’: An Amazon shareholder letter from Jeff Bezos http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:37:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Garson O'Toole http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-773002 Garson O'Toole Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:31:32 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-773002 The complaints that Bezos raises concerning “information snacking” and “short attention spans” have a long and dubious history. Today Bezos warns us about “networked tools such as desktop computers, laptops, cell phones and PDAs”. He apparently fears that these tools will cause readers to consume only short and “non-nutritious” pieces of text. Back in 1982 the danger of informational junk food was embodied in a newly created newspaper. Time magazine wrote about <a HREF="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950113,00.html" rel="nofollow">”McPaper” two years after its launch</A>:<blockquote> When the first issue of USA Today appeared, journalists likened the rainbow-bright, telegram-terse new entry to fast food and nicknamed it "McPaper." USA Today editors steadfastly retorted that they were trying to please readers, not their peers.</blockquote> <a HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/business/media/17gannett.html" rel="nofollow">A profile in the New York Times in 2007 says: </A><blockquote>The initial reaction within the profession was harsh. Ben Bradlee, the revered Washington Post editor, was quoted as saying, “If USA Today is a good newspaper, then I’m in the wrong business.” Mr. Neuharth and his staff embraced the derision. He replied that at least he and Mr. Bradlee agreed on one thing — “that he’s in the wrong business.” People in the newsroom adopted the “McPaper” label. </blockquote>Perhaps I am a bit cynical but I do not think that the typical attention span has really shortened. For most people the attention span is measurable only in picoseconds. The great thinkers of an age sometimes achieve microseconds. I can only manage a femtosecond. The complaints that Bezos raises concerning “information snacking” and “short attention spans” have a long and dubious history. Today Bezos warns us about “networked tools such as desktop computers, laptops, cell phones and PDAs”. He apparently fears that these tools will cause readers to consume only short and “non-nutritious” pieces of text. Back in 1982 the danger of informational junk food was embodied in a newly created newspaper. Time magazine wrote about ”McPaper” two years after its launch:
When the first issue of USA Today appeared, journalists likened the rainbow-bright, telegram-terse new entry to fast food and nicknamed it “McPaper.” USA Today editors steadfastly retorted that they were trying to please readers, not their peers.

A profile in the New York Times in 2007 says:

The initial reaction within the profession was harsh. Ben Bradlee, the revered Washington Post editor, was quoted as saying, “If USA Today is a good newspaper, then I’m in the wrong business.” Mr. Neuharth and his staff embraced the derision. He replied that at least he and Mr. Bradlee agreed on one thing — “that he’s in the wrong business.” People in the newsroom adopted the “McPaper” label.

Perhaps I am a bit cynical but I do not think that the typical attention span has really shortened. For most people the attention span is measurable only in picoseconds. The great thinkers of an age sometimes achieve microseconds. I can only manage a femtosecond.

]]> By: Todd Jonz http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-771963 Todd Jonz Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:23:30 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-771963 It's the part about shortening attention spans that I don't understand. Sure, I "snack" using my iPod Touch when I'm away from my desktop system, but all told I spend probably two to three hours a day reading the New York Times, the Washington Post, and a variety of tech sites and blogs. I'm far better informed than back in the days I got my news from a TV newscast and the local newspaper, The Daily Fish Wrap. And it's all thanks to electronic devices. It’s the part about shortening attention spans that I don’t understand. Sure, I “snack” using my iPod Touch when I’m away from my desktop system, but all told I spend probably two to three hours a day reading the New York Times, the Washington Post, and a variety of tech sites and blogs. I’m far better informed than back in the days I got my news from a TV newscast and the local newspaper, The Daily Fish Wrap. And it’s all thanks to electronic devices.

]]> By: Joe Wikert http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-771339 Joe Wikert Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:07:32 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-771339 I interpreted it as grabbing smaller pieces of information, news and other stories online vs. the longer form reading of, say, a book. I totally agree with him that e-devices have added to the ease with which I can info snack. I do it throughout the day on my Blackberry, for example. I interpreted it as grabbing smaller pieces of information, news and other stories online vs. the longer form reading of, say, a book. I totally agree with him that e-devices have added to the ease with which I can info snack. I do it throughout the day on my Blackberry, for example.

]]> By: Todd Jonz http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-771101 Todd Jonz Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:46:10 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/21/the-kindle-vs-information-snacking-an-amazon-shareholder-letter-from-jeff-bezos/#comment-771101 Let's pretend for a moment that we understand what Mr. Bezos means by "information snacking." Would anyone care to speculate just what the heck he means when he asserts that electronic devices have made us more prone to indulge in it? Let’s pretend for a moment that we understand what Mr. Bezos means by “information snacking.” Would anyone care to speculate just what the heck he means when he asserts that electronic devices have made us more prone to indulge in it?

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