Doubleplusungood: That Copy Of 1984 On Your Kindle Is Now Gone from the you-never-had-that-book... dept
For quite some time we've been pointing out the simple fact that, unlike with a physical book, you don't really own the ebooks that you buy on your Amazon Kindle. Even worse, Amazon can simply delete them at will. In fact, that's exactly what's happened to (of all books!) George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm. Talk about irony. People who legitimately purchased those books discovered that they're now gone, as the publisher has decided that ebook versions were doubleplusungood and should never have existed in the first place. So, like the war with Eurasia, the book is now just a figment of your imagination. You never had it. At least Amazon refunded the money, but what kind of book do you buy that gets automatically disappeared? eBooks are an interesting concept, but how can anyone buy into something where their books might suddenly disappear? Update: The NY Times is now reporting that Amazon says it will change its system so that, in the future, books won't be deleted. However, that's not making many customers happy. They seem pretty pissed off -- with some noting that Amazon's own terms of service claim that you have a permanent right to the content once you've bought it. On top of that, the Times quotes a student who had taken a bunch of notes, which Amazon destroyed as well.
http://techdirt.com/articles/20090717/1559425587.shtml
John Frieda
Ash
Nike
Why Orwell's books vs. a bad romance novel?
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"I will marshal all the forces of darkness to hound you to an assisted suicide." - In the Loop
How strange! Orwell? he's an icon.
I've been thinking of investing in an ebook system. Anyone try one? recommend a particular version? Not interested if they are going to randomly delete of course.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have".
2Thomas Jefferson
I have a friend who has a Kindle and LOVES it. I dunno - there is something about holding a book and turning the pages for me....
How odd that it would be Orwell's books that this would happen to!
3OMG... total observation? what else will follow? do they call that "customer service"...
4i mean - the customer is served well by buying the same twice or more?
It doesn't say they will let them have it back, it will just give them their money back. It also deleted notes a student had on the book in their kindle. My conspiracy theory streak say they didn't want people to realize that this is happening to them slowly.
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"I will marshal all the forces of darkness to hound you to an assisted suicide." - In the Loop
One more reason why I don't want Kindle: there are enough things being taken away from me today that I cannot do much about.
6Most people don't realize that 1984 was created in postwar England by changing the last two digits of 1948, complete with the then synthetic gin and ubiquitous brown bread. It is also telling that in deleting this book especially, it brings us one step closer to the ways in which Big Brother removes the evidence necessary for a thinking society. Let's just hope that the money they saved will help chase down those nasty millionaires who have stolen from us,keeping us from having health care. I am only waiting for the moment in which they are all labeled enemies of the state, but I do not doubt that it is really coming.
That is WEIRD. I agree, one you purchase the copy, it's your property. And I'm with Martini...I really love the feel of a real book. Same with newspapers.
Sam I always had a hunch you were slightly off your rocker...your conspiracy theories confirm it!
I kid of course!
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8I see people on the train with these electronic books and me with my paperbacks or hardcover and the never lift their heads or acknowledge anyone. They are enthralled by this bland looking device with type running across a gray looking screen. Blah!
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"I will marshal all the forces of darkness to hound you to an assisted suicide." - In the Loop
YES...another instance where Americans should DEMAND A REFUND.
I had been tempted to buy a Kindle and NOW I know I never will...that and I sort of like the smell of a new book, the crackle when you open it for the first time, and the smell of the leather binding.
On another note--when someone can arbitrarily delete literary works, it is a theft beyond comparison. When we allow others to DICTATE what is considered literary excellence (like self-proclaimed expert Harry Bloom) we would be missing large pieces of work that give us fabulous insight into the human equation. If it were up to Harry Bloom, none of us would be reading Harry Potter.
While Harry Potter is NOT 1984...it has it's own merit. When have we (Americans)ever allowed censorship? We should not start now.
9I wrote a paper (years ago) about the effects of computer screens on learning disabilities, especially ADHD. I showed through careful experiments why teaching reading, especially to learning disabilities' kids, was much improved with a physical book over a computer screen. While no one argued with the results, the outcome was that the education gurus had just jumped on the digital bandwagon, purchasing huge quantities of programs designed to improve subject matter test scores. Even with today's improved screens, it is still much easier for anyone to read with a physical book, but clearly some brains are more susceptible to the influences than others.
10I love a real book and agree with Martini on that!
11Eleuthera-- Armed with promises of new gadgets, I am certain they were more interested in new toys. I hope we see a new "accountability" in education.
12Give me a real book any day.
13I cannot understand why people choose a digital copy over paperback; I adore an actual book, not a download. I want to be able to hold the book & flip the pages. No Kindle for me.
.) The world is already becoming an awful lot like 1984 as it is.
14It is both ironic and scary when they start deleting property like this (and of all the books...
I don't get books on tape except for those who are visually impaired. I think people are lazy and don't want to schlep a book so they load as many into an ipod or kindle and go. There is something about browsing titles and reading back covers. I have found so many books and authors I never would have just by walking the aisles of second hand books and discount shops.
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"I will marshal all the forces of darkness to hound you to an assisted suicide." - In the Loop
so true Sam. One of my favorite things to do is browse the aisles of a book store, find a few interesting books, then grab a cup of coffee at their coffee bar, plunk down in one of their comfy chairs & enjoy!
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have".
16Thomas Jefferson
It warms my heart to read the comments about the pleasure of a real, bound book in your hands.
I have a particular weakness for old books. Even when the bindings are battered, there's something about the smell and smooth feel of 75+-year-old paper.
Somewhere my daughter picked up the same quirk, even though she didn't know how I am about old books. Genetics and heredity are scary.
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Conservative in exile
Washington and Sacramento: Stealing our children's futures.
When I read for pleasure it is always from a book. Some of my schoolbooks I buy as a book but also on CD which I listen to while being my kid's chauffeur or while cleaning house. The CD's reinforce the massive amounts of data I have to assimilate every day because I am completing both medical AND law degrees simultaneously. When I am online it is usually breaks during work or studying. The new online library at the college is HEAVEN if you have ever had to do actual research by hand (old school way) you know what I mean...so I greatly value electrical data. It just won't replace my love of books.
18Wow, I never even thought about that. I thought that once you downloaded it, then it was yours to keep on your computer. It kind of reminds me of the whole online college books. You bought them but the only way to keep them was by printing them out.
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