When I heard this story on NPR my impulse was to go and immediately order a set of the last print edition of Encyclopedia Britannica; many folks had the same idea. I thought better of it, and we’ll keep our sub-par set of Grolier Encylcopedias from the early ’90s. It’s kind of sad though. I find myself, too often, explaining to people in their twenties how to use an index.
Every wondered how old books get that old-book book smell? Your question is answered.
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And lastly, some clarification of who is at fault for the lack of a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction this time around. I feel terrible for the nominees, not to mention Maureen Corrgian, Susan Larson, and Michael Cunningham, who did all the footwork.
mdatl44
/ April 18, 2012Here’s a doubting Thomas perspective re Britannica. I am, of course, firmly on the middle of this debate.
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2012/03/the_encyclopedia_britannica_was_expensive_useless_and_exploitative_i_m_glad_it_s_gone_.html
amber
/ April 19, 2012Interesting article–I get that point of view. For me, this is all about nostalgia. Nostalgia for having to flip through the pages of an encyclopedia in elementary school for a report, and then stumbling across something else fascinating. Nostalgia for having to later sit in the reference section of a library with a stack of index cards and coins for the copier.