A universe of books online

I found this via BoingBoing, once again.

Reading the article brought back memories of when I was a 4th or 5th grader and had discovered the library in my elementary school. I distinctly remember checking out books--many books, and they weren't all science fiction or fantasy, either. It was where I discovered the works of Andre Norton, and also learned about the parts of an automobile engine. I "researched" all manner of topics of interest to me. And now I think: what if I'd had a tool like the web to help me find books?

It is truly amazing the fundamental change that's been enabled by the web. I was wrong (really wrong) back in 1993 when I said the web was just a fad that would fade. It's clear I didn't understand it, then, because still today I find more and more ways to make it serve me and my life. I am not afraid to change my mind about things.

Change is inevitable. It really is adapt or die. Books are still relevant and indispensable . Most of human knowledge is still stored in books, and I believe that digitizing and making them available on the web will seriously expand their influence, for years to come. Let's face it: the book as a form factor is very convenient--better than the electronic reader. It never runs out of juice, and can quite easily annotated (should you feel so inclined).

Google is working with major libraries to bring their vast collections to the web. Sure, Google plans to make money doing it, but since when is the money motive invalid for spurring creative new development? It seems to me that money is the primary motivator in the world, and the single reason why America has grown to be where it is in the global economy. Money can be used to do evil, but no one is accusing the writers and publishers of being evil just because they want to make money of their books. Why should Google be labeled in this way?

I am a writer (though not as yet published), and the idea that my works could be indexed and made more easily available to a wider audience certainly does appeal to me. In general, the ability to easily find obscure works will do nothing but improve the long tail, and make profitable the companies that are able to cater to a very wide audience of disparate tastes. In my view, it only benefits everyone: reader, writer, publisher, and book seller. With such great benefits, it's a wonder that anyone could be against it.

Update: Here's more about the long tail. Interesting stuff. Seems the web is diversifying us to the detriment of those mega-large, megalithic multinational conglomerates that would have us all watching, reading, and listening to the same stuff. How boring would that be?