And now for the Sarcasm

With all the heated rhetoric around debates we like to join here at SoTB, why isn't there *more* sarcasm, I ask? Well, today is my answer.

First is this post on The Rumpus by novelist Steve Hely, in which he takes on the mock role of "Post-Paper Evolution Consultant" to "various terrified publishing companies." In the post, he goes through the changes that are now at work in publishing, with suggestions of how to weather the storm. It's ridiculous, but amusing.

I especially like his take on the Kindle:

Electronic readers like the Kindle are going to have a huge impact. This will mostly benefit publishers of vampire erotica and books about Hitler. People enjoy both these kinds of books, and now they can read them without fear of creeping out their fellow subway riders.

And over at McSweeney's, Robert Lanham has posted his "Internet-Age Writing Syllabus and Course Overview," which has as its objective, "writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era [that] focuses on the creation of short-form prose that is not intended to be reproduced on pulp fibers." Pre-reqs include ENG: 102—Staring Blankly at Handheld Devices While Others Are Talking and LIT: 209—Internet-Age Surrealistic Narcissism and Self-Absorption, while topics include - yep, the Kindle:

Week 4:The Kindle Question
Is Amazon's wireless reading device the Segway of handheld gadgets? Should it be smaller, come with headphones, and play MP3s instead of display book text? Students will discuss.

I know, a little snark goes a long way, so the two-for-one is a bit of a whammy. My apologies - try to enjoy?