Technology shifts

Technological change is disruptive and painful - as many have experienced. Recently, both movies and e-books have been debated. I am now an enthusiastic e-book borrower. With my regular library card, using a suitable reading and encryption app, I can borrow e-books to my tablet for reading over 4 weeks. The range is everything from Zlatan to Selma Lagerlöf. Simple, fast, and environmentally friendly - simply fantastic I think. The husband also thinks so, because you don't have to have the bedside lamp on and don't rustle with the pages.

However, the publishers' association is less enthusiastic and thinks that the system should be redesigned so that it works more like books IRL, i.e. only lending out a limited number at a time. Don't authors want to be read by as many people as possible? Libraries pay 20 SEK per book and do not have the budget for the rush that has been. It will be interesting to follow the negotiations ahead.

Even the movie industry is agonizing over the digital world. I read that the music industry now gets more than 50% of its revenue from digital media, and I sincerely hope that the movie industry goes the same way. Movies are not at their best in theaters, with popcorn-munching and chattering moviegoers. Plus, the hassle of getting to the nearest cinema for all of us who don't live in the inner cities. No, movies are best at home on the couch, with a glass of wine and your own nice company. Watched a bit of the Guldbaggegalan this week and was very eager to see a couple of the movies. However, I realized that only a few were available digitally and some had also stopped showing in cinemas. Just waiting for a possible DVD release, but when that happens, I have definitely forgotten about the movie.

We should be happy about the new, more technology-neutral film agreement. Film support can also be given to films that are not shown in cinemas, and although telecom operators and representatives of new digital media are excluded from the agreement, it still feels like a small step on the way.

Finally, a comment on Netopia's blog, where Per Strömbäck asks "who gets 100 mbit if you don't want to download illegally?" Well, for example myself and most of the neighbors in my residential area, who finally have the opportunity to connect to a fiber network. And we want it to listen to music, watch SVT Play and watch movies on Voddler without sound and image lagging.

It's time to realize that ordinary consumers want digital alternatives. And are happy to pay for them.