The Digital Revolution: Talk Tonight

Last minute notification for folks in the Phoenix area I know, but I was unclear as to whether or not this was a closed meeting. I’ve been told it’s open, so here’s the information on it.

Mensa Forum This Friday (Nov 6th) at 7PM.

Topic: What will the digital revolution do to reading, writing, and Book Publishing?

Speaker: Mike Stackpole, a New Yo.rk Times best selling arthur (many times over), critical thinker, futurist, nationally reknowed lecturer, and head of the local Skeptics Group. Mr. Stackpole also teaches the tricks of the book publishing trade to aspiring book authors.

The local East Valley Tribune newspaper just announced that they are folding up operations effective December 31st 2009. This is just the latest casualty of the decline of newspaper readership (particularly amongst younger people). Like many newspapers, the Tribune has been hard-hit by the economic downturn and faced stiff competition for classified ads from Web sites offering free or cheaper alternatives.

Some experts believe that in the future certain groups of writers, editors, publicists, and Web site managers anywhere in the world will combine to form their own Web-based publishing companies and sell their books directly to readers. In their view, traditional Bookstores and Book Publishers would become less important and many may go out of business. We have seen one notable Bookstore closing here in the valley; the large Borders Bookstore on Mill Avenue in Tempe closed its doors despite being located next to ASU in downtown Tempe.

But Book Lovers insist that electronic readers such as the Kindle and iPhone (and their future descendants) will never replace the experience of snuggling up with a good book. And many will continue to stroll the aisles of a good bookstore and enjoy the surprises, sights, and smells that books have to offer. But is this a dying population in our society?

Mr Stackpole is an able guide to help us explore this uncertain and complex book versus digital media future. Come speculate about the future of books with us at the Forum!

The Forum will be held this Friday evening at 7PM at the Granite Reef Senior Center. The Center is just North of McDowell on Granite Reef Road in South Scottsdale. Granite Reef Road is located between Hayden Road and the Loop 101. The address is 1700 North Granite Reef Road.