4 ms·

Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. Have you considered libby? Nowadays libraries around the world provide you with an account that gives you access

Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. Have you considered libby? Nowadays libraries around the world provide you with an account that gives you access to their catalogue for free.

cube00 4y ago
For my library at least there are very few modern technical books in their Libby subscription.
mehlmao 4y ago
Libby and similar services are designed to bleed libraries dry. Libraries are prohibited from buying a normal / retail eBook license, and have to buy a special library license. These licenses are more expensive and expire after they are checked out a few times. I'll check out a physical book from the library, grab an epub, and delete it when I return the book.
RHSeeger 4y ago
> Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. While I like the idea of authors making more money rather than less, I see no fundamental reason why they _should_ benefit from second hand sales. When I buy any given object <X>, use it for what I need it for, then sell it to someone else; the original producer does not make anything off that second sale. And that's normal/expected.
- torben-friis 4y ago
  My point wasn’t that they should, my point is that if the only reason you’re buying physical is to avoid feeling guilty for pirating then used bookstores might not be the best choice. There is no effect to the author buying or not.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
mtlynch 4y ago
>Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. Authors should benefit from secondhand sales at least a little bit. The more demand there is for a used book, the higher sellers can price the used book. And as the price of a used book increases, more buyers will choose the new version over the used version. It's not as beneficial as buying a new copy, but it benefits the author more than just pirating it. Libby is similarly beneficial in an indirect way.
- amanaplanacanal 4y ago
  Would you propose this for all goods? Or just books?
  - mtlynch 4y ago
    Yeah, I think it's true for most goods.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
    - Am4TIfIsER0ppos 4y ago
      Assuming your idea were implemented: when I buy clothes from some large retailer you expect they are going to send a bit more of the 2nd hand money back to the sweatshop that made it in the first place?
      - mtlynch 4y ago
        To clarify, I'm not proposing for anything to be implemented. I'm saying that I think the market works this way already. The scenario you're describing sounds different than what I'm talking about, though. You're talking a retailer selling a new product and then passing back commissions on the sale to vendors upstream in the supply chain? I'm not seeing the connection between that and the price effect of used goods on their corresponding new goods.

Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. Have you considered libby? Nowadays libraries around the world provide you with an account that gives you access to their catalogue for free.

cube00 4y ago

For my library at least there are very few modern technical books in their Libby subscription.

mehlmao 4y ago

Libby and similar services are designed to bleed libraries dry. Libraries are prohibited from buying a normal / retail eBook license, and have to buy a special library license. These licenses are more expensive and expire after they are checked out a few times. I'll check out a physical book from the library, grab an epub, and delete it when I return the book.

RHSeeger 4y ago

> Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. While I like the idea of authors making more money rather than less, I see no fundamental reason why they _should_ benefit from second hand sales. When I buy any given object <X>, use it for what I need it for, then sell it to someone else; the original producer does not make anything off that second sale. And that's normal/expected.

torben-friis 4y ago
My point wasn’t that they should, my point is that if the only reason you’re buying physical is to avoid feeling guilty for pirating then used bookstores might not be the best choice. There is no effect to the author buying or not.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

mtlynch 4y ago

>Authors aren't benefited by second hand sales. Authors should benefit from secondhand sales at least a little bit. The more demand there is for a used book, the higher sellers can price the used book. And as the price of a used book increases, more buyers will choose the new version over the used version. It's not as beneficial as buying a new copy, but it benefits the author more than just pirating it. Libby is similarly beneficial in an indirect way.

amanaplanacanal 4y ago
Would you propose this for all goods? Or just books?
- mtlynch 4y ago
  Yeah, I think it's true for most goods.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - Am4TIfIsER0ppos 4y ago
    Assuming your idea were implemented: when I buy clothes from some large retailer you expect they are going to send a bit more of the 2nd hand money back to the sweatshop that made it in the first place?
    - mtlynch 4y ago
      To clarify, I'm not proposing for anything to be implemented. I'm saying that I think the market works this way already. The scenario you're describing sounds different than what I'm talking about, though. You're talking a retailer selling a new product and then passing back commissions on the sale to vendors upstream in the supply chain? I'm not seeing the connection between that and the price effect of used goods on their corresponding new goods.