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Just to go on, the distribution of Elsevier and Taschen is pretty damn esoteric. I have never had a problem spending money on educational material that was way

by socmag 10y ago

Just to go on, the distribution of Elsevier and Taschen is pretty damn esoteric. I have never had a problem spending money on educational material that was way beyond what you can find in public libraries (Internet these days). Not really been following print for a while. I'd like to think they still maintain that standard despite current trends. Sad if that is not the case.

sedachv 10y ago
> I have never had a problem spending money on educational material that was way beyond what you can find in public libraries (Internet these days). Cool story, rich bro. Taschen and Elsevier are actually very good publishers to compare, not because they are "esoteric," but because both many scientists and many artists benefit from public grants. Taschen does not actively work to keep work it publishes from public libraries. If Taschen acted like Elsevier, for example they would be suing photographers for having exhibitions featuring reprinted photographs in public museums. This is all of course besides the fact that limiting access to scientific knowledge for the purposes of rent-seeking is morally wrong and IMO should be criminal.
- socmag 10y ago
  Alright, I'll buy that. The difference between Elsevier and Taschen is that people like us don't appreciate computer science as much as art. We expect to get everything for free online, not something I can hold in my hand. Meanwhile I'd love to own an original copy of an Escher and stick it on my wall. Other people pay good money every month to play world of Warcraft. I'm guessing amortized over time, more than Elsevier charges. What do you want? Free everything, fine. It's available. Original content that someone worked really hard for and has a stupendously limited audience, but is presented with style and panache. There is that too. At this point I don't know what I'm really suggesting. I can't say I like $25 paywalls. That isn't me, and I don't have the pocket change for it either. That said, I do appreciate "known good reliable sources". and am willing to pay a premium. I think "criminal" is probably a bit much. I'd like to understand the economics first. Nobody buys newspapers any more either. $.25c was criminal too, and look where the news is now. I'm thinking.
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by socmag 10y ago

sedachv 10y ago

> I have never had a problem spending money on educational material that was way beyond what you can find in public libraries (Internet these days). Cool story, rich bro. Taschen and Elsevier are actually very good publishers to compare, not because they are "esoteric," but because both many scientists and many artists benefit from public grants. Taschen does not actively work to keep work it publishes from public libraries. If Taschen acted like Elsevier, for example they would be suing photographers for having exhibitions featuring reprinted photographs in public museums. This is all of course besides the fact that limiting access to scientific knowledge for the purposes of rent-seeking is morally wrong and IMO should be criminal.

socmag 10y ago
Alright, I'll buy that. The difference between Elsevier and Taschen is that people like us don't appreciate computer science as much as art. We expect to get everything for free online, not something I can hold in my hand. Meanwhile I'd love to own an original copy of an Escher and stick it on my wall. Other people pay good money every month to play world of Warcraft. I'm guessing amortized over time, more than Elsevier charges. What do you want? Free everything, fine. It's available. Original content that someone worked really hard for and has a stupendously limited audience, but is presented with style and panache. There is that too. At this point I don't know what I'm really suggesting. I can't say I like $25 paywalls. That isn't me, and I don't have the pocket change for it either. That said, I do appreciate "known good reliable sources". and am willing to pay a premium. I think "criminal" is probably a bit much. I'd like to understand the economics first. Nobody buys newspapers any more either. $.25c was criminal too, and look where the news is now. I'm thinking.
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