Or then again perhaps it[IT] allows people who may not be comfortable talking face to face the opportunity to avoid face to face contact precisely when it is most needed.
I would find it very easy in my job to communicate entirely by email and IM, but I've found that a kind of "chinese whisper" effect takes hold and more uncertainty is introduced than would be the case in a face to face conversation. So I force myself to get out of my chair. Apparently there are good ergonomic side-effects to this too...
I also see more online comics, but I think it is a good think for the industry, rather than a problem. If I find a comic I love, I won't be happy with an online or even a home printed version, I want a professional quality bound copy.
Fans of all kinds seemingly have bottomless pockets when it comes to the pursuit of their fanatacism. Witness the success of magazines that come out with different 'collector's edition' covers, DVDs reissued in collectors pack/directors cut/remastered format and so on.
So much for the established classics. But what about new comics? It seems to me that comics thrive on word-of-mouth. Publishing comics online makes it easier for readers to find the comics they like best (how many of us are lucky enough to have a great comics store in our neighbourhood?) and for independent comics producers to reach a wider audience. So having comics available online just makes it easier to find the classics of the future. And if the publishers only have to publish sure-fire winners maybe they can reduce prices and everyone can benefit...
I realise this is a somewhat utopian view, but I honestly don't think people will stop buying comics. They'll just stop buying bad comics.
All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.
-- George Orwell (Animal Farm)
People are not equal (!) They can have equal amounts of money, or equal scores on IQ tests, or equal height but they will never be equal. The differences vary, but as a rule we feel most comfortable with those least different from us, so natural groups form. Some groups are better at some things than others, so we have diversity and can now achieve more than without the groups.
People are free to join any group, but if sufficient people with different interests join, the nature of the group will be different. The group may well split into smaller groups.
These aren't "the rules". It's just how it works. IMHO.
Caroline.
Slashdot Mirror
Or then again perhaps it[IT] allows people who may not be comfortable talking face to face the opportunity to avoid face to face contact precisely when it is most needed.
I would find it very easy in my job to communicate entirely by email and IM, but I've found that a kind of "chinese whisper" effect takes hold and more uncertainty is introduced than would be the case in a face to face conversation. So I force myself to get out of my chair. Apparently there are good ergonomic side-effects to this too...
I also see more online comics, but I think it is a good think for the industry, rather than a problem. If I find a comic I love, I won't be happy with an online or even a home printed version, I want a professional quality bound copy. Fans of all kinds seemingly have bottomless pockets when it comes to the pursuit of their fanatacism. Witness the success of magazines that come out with different 'collector's edition' covers, DVDs reissued in collectors pack/directors cut/remastered format and so on.
So much for the established classics. But what about new comics? It seems to me that comics thrive on word-of-mouth. Publishing comics online makes it easier for readers to find the comics they like best (how many of us are lucky enough to have a great comics store in our neighbourhood?) and for independent comics producers to reach a wider audience. So having comics available online just makes it easier to find the classics of the future. And if the publishers only have to publish sure-fire winners maybe they can reduce prices and everyone can benefit...
I realise this is a somewhat utopian view, but I honestly don't think people will stop buying comics. They'll just stop buying bad comics.
Darn it, I've been looping round 2 and 3 for years.
Time to move on to step 4, methinks. I found some advice on step 4a to get me started.
For maths you might want to try the books of Ian Stewart.
A scientific theory should be as simple as possible, but no simpler. -- AlbertEinstein
The The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive has a good biography if you want more backround on the man and his mathematics.
All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others. -- George Orwell (Animal Farm) People are not equal (!) They can have equal amounts of money, or equal scores on IQ tests, or equal height but they will never be equal. The differences vary, but as a rule we feel most comfortable with those least different from us, so natural groups form. Some groups are better at some things than others, so we have diversity and can now achieve more than without the groups. People are free to join any group, but if sufficient people with different interests join, the nature of the group will be different. The group may well split into smaller groups. These aren't "the rules". It's just how it works. IMHO. Caroline.
Maybe M$ should be running a pension fund instead of making software then.