tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post6463582032769927438..comments2023-10-27T03:41:13.171-07:00Comments on Warning Signs: Borders Bites the DustAlan Carubahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901162110385985193noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-58441745851637518862011-07-22T21:06:22.298-07:002011-07-22T21:06:22.298-07:00I was deeply saddened to see the "Store Closi...I was deeply saddened to see the "Store Closing" signs at my local Borders. I loved going in there and sitting to read - usually buying the book in the process. <br /><br />I'm not a huge fan of Amazon, because I can't hold the book in my hands and see how big the type is (over 40, the eyes are failing), or if there's enough room in the margins to write notes. I was disappointed with my copy of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged (purchased from Amazon) because this edition has very small print - and I actually have to break out my reading glasses to read it.<br /><br />Amazon is great - but I love browsing in the bookstore.Donna Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01757829143764382949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-44247731539782267362011-07-22T12:43:46.756-07:002011-07-22T12:43:46.756-07:00Ya know, I was elated when I heard they were closi...Ya know, I was elated when I heard they were closing the borders...<br /><br />Then I found out it was Borders... <br /><br />Damn...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-43350018458831644572011-07-22T07:41:47.499-07:002011-07-22T07:41:47.499-07:00In the interest of accuracy, Henry Ford's firs...In the interest of accuracy, Henry Ford's first car was the Model T. The Model A came in the late 20's.<br /><br />Good article Alan. Goes to show the only thing you can count on is 'change'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-69759220647888913652011-07-22T05:35:01.002-07:002011-07-22T05:35:01.002-07:00Technology has a way of antiquating methods and pr...Technology has a way of antiquating methods and practices. For the most part, technology improves and enriches everyone's life. People forget, however, that most technology is born from capitalism. Someone has an idea for goods or services that people are willing to pay more for than what it cost to make and voila; profits are made and jobs are created. That's how it's done. Quite simple. Why liberals can't get it is beyond me.<br /><br />They just don't seem to be happy unless they are attacking big oil, big pharma, or big something. Of course, 'Big Press' is off limits. It's not alright to attack a capitalist operation run by liberals. Watch out. The New York Times, Washington Post, et. al., will be falling soon enough and going the way of Bortners and Barnes and Noble thanks to technology. People don't need to read their news on a piece of paper printed with cheap ink that comes off on their hands.<br /><br />Come to think of it, where are the tree huggers when you need them? Why, think of the millions of trees that could be saved if the presses were all shut down. Oh, yeah, I forgot. Liberals own 'Big Press' so that's OK. They can kill all the trees they want. Let an evil, greedy, Republican capitalist paper kill trees though and we all know what happens.Will Harmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517056183463981595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-51807873092252060982011-07-22T04:59:34.426-07:002011-07-22T04:59:34.426-07:00Alan,
Great article! Like you, I have been an av...Alan,<br /><br />Great article! Like you, I have been an avid reader all of my adult life. First we start out being in awe of the wonderful pictures being painted with words in our heads. As time goes by we come to the realization that reading for pleasure is escapism. And I am not decrying this form of escapism either. It is necessary. Just like going to the movies….only much better, longer lasting, and more profound and….as you said….you can always pick up a favorite book to reread. And the fascination of the second or third reads is that you pick up the nuances you missed in the first reading. I read Michener’s “the Source” when I was 19 and enjoyed it. I reread it 30 and understood it. <br /><br />Since time and circumstances change I never seem to have time for fiction any longer, and I miss it. I read mostly issue oriented material or technical material. It isn’t nearly as much fun, but it is demanding and gives me the ammunition to defend my industry, and I can’t seem to fit “fun” reading into my schedule any longer. I tried to reread The “Sand Pebbles” recently. I never got past the second chapter. Too much on my plate. The movie was pretty good….but as usual, the book was special. <br /><br />I will miss Border’s because I just loved browsing. Buying on-line is much easier, but it isn’t the same. But that is the way life is. Something better comes along and it is adopted, but nothing is perfect. The best we can hope for is the most acceptable imperfection. <br /><br /> Walmart, in spite of the abuse they receive from the left, is what Sears was 50 years ago, only more. When automation first came in the 50’s people went nuts because jobs were being lost. But better and more jobs, better products, more variety and an overall better economy were eventually created. Things change. We just don’t need that many buggy whips any longer. <br /><br />RichRich Kozlovichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13745960671409518147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-53044717202479329692011-07-21T19:49:16.003-07:002011-07-21T19:49:16.003-07:00Great post Alan. In this household we have a nook,...Great post Alan. In this household we have a nook, an iPad and an iPod Touch, all used to read various and sundry published works, many in the public domain (downloaded free from my library in Volusia County). We are also surrounded by bookshelves crammed with books not yet read, read and annotated, and some where just the pictures are appreciated. We jumped on Amazon years ago. The locals and the big box stores don't offer enough to compete. It's a time where my dollars go the farthest.<br />It reminds me of FW Woolworth and Company. My dad worked for them for fifty some odd years. In the last years the office was crowded with Harvard MBAs who sold the assets to keep the bottom line positive. In my dad's time everyone in the executive offices had begun as stock boys at age 14, they knew retailing. They didn't know about the change of heart of the American buyer. S.S. Kresge had it right with K-Mart, Woolworths lost their life with Woolco.<br />Life goes on and something better will come out of the Borders (and probably Barnes and Noble) failure.Dave's Daily Day Dreamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17491764990082380190noreply@blogger.com