Today's Special.

My thought of the day, since I've seen a ton of stuff posted about govt internet spying today.

I'm pretty sure the government spying on our internet use isn't about security, but rather an excuse for govt officials to watch internet port without getting in trouble. Bow-chicka-wow-wow!

Reading Solutions

I love to read. For me, ereaders are a wonderful invention. Instead of carrying 5 books in my bag, I have a library on a device that takes a fraction of the space. I grew up with the family bookstore down the road. So it surprises me when I come across someone who says they don't like to read, or don't read. 

There are so many worlds, and new people in books. You don't need electricity to see it. If you get interrupted or have to stop reading, you don't miss anything. It's still sitting there waiting for you to comeback and pick right back up from where you left off. I just don't get how people are so turned off by books. They'll read countless magazines, spend hours reading posts on Facebook and Twitter, countless articles and reports from news sites. People can't even make it through dinner without text. So given how much people already read, it kills me that people won't pick up a book. 

Technology could be the key to this though. Even with Barnes & Noble bowing out of the tablet market, there's still hope. Another company could easily pick up where they've left off and fallen short. Amazon is making a killing. And Kobo is making the mix interesting now with their Arc. Sony, in typical Sony fashion, has an over priced ereader that could use some sprucing up. However, Sony has proven time and time again that it shouldn't be written off. Then you have the plethora of apps for cell phones by all the above and then some. With tablets taking off, these apps could really capitalize if they were marketed better. If more companies would make a better device with an up-to-date version of android, and actually upgrade them to the newer versions like they do tablets and phones, there would be an even bigger market. 

Why do I believe this? Because people love multitasking devices with the most current software. Communication, entertainment, and internet access everywhere. Something to entertain the kids, something to keep everyone in touch, something to help out with scheduling, navigation from time to time, and something to take you away for just a little while. We have the capability. We have the access. We need to get the word out, and more people involved. Not just the big companies. Public libraries could increase their traffic dramatically if they were to get involved. I've come across a couple, but not many. What's that? You need to return your book, but can't get off work to drive? That's okay, it's an ebook and you're connected to the internet! Pretty sure I just heard a "Ka-Ching!" Plus libraries have audiobooks. What's that, another electronic item in your basket? Ka-Ching! The possibilities are endless. Big companies are starting to take advantage of some of these options, as are a handful of libraries. 

So maybe some of these people feel they don't have time to read. Maybe they're a bit intimidated. Just maybe, they don't want to carry extra weight. The technology is the cure to these issues. Get the advertising out there people. Encourage people to read. If people got away from the TV for a little bit and started reading, like the days of yester-year, our countries education levels could start to see an improvement as well. You don't have to unplug to read anymore. Instead, plugin and read up.