Random Articles - RAW 160702

The Calvin and Hobbes comic strip has always been a favourite of mine, it is at the top of the list with The Far Side and Dilbert coming close behind.  It was only after I read the article below about Calvin and Hobbes that I realised 'Yes, this is why I like it so much'.  Enjoy reading this weekend along with your favourite beverage :)

What Makes Calvin and Hobbes So Special?

Calvin and Hobbes should be everyone’s favorite comic strip. But what makes it so special? Kaptain Kristian dives in to explain why the strip is so good. The argument centers around the idea that Calvin and Hobbes puts art before commerce, as all art should. Read more...

Why Do Teens Prefer Printed Books To E-books? ‘We Just Do!’

The Guardian has an interesting essay by a teen writer from the Guardian children’s books site entitled “Why teenagers are so resistant to e-readers.” (The writer posts under a handle and doesn’t give a gender, so I’m just going to assume she’s female so I can use a pronoun that looks less awkward than “they”.) It’s interesting enough, but when you read the thing, it’s actually kind of mistitled. It could better have been called “Why this teenager still loves paper books.” Read more...

An Abridged Da Vinci Code Implies Teens Need Simple Books – They Don't

The news that Penguin is releasing an abridged version of The Da Vinci Code, advertised on its cover as “adapted for young adults”, is puzzling. A common way to introduce a book to a new market is to give it a fresh cover – a widespread practice, often used for books with “crossover appeal”. Penguin has created a bold new cover for The Da Vinci Code, but they haven’t stopped there – the book is also being condensed, as though what really makes a story appeal to young adults is the prospect of a short read. Yet it’s been proven time and time again that this isn’t the case. Read more...

11 Science Fiction Books That Are Regularly Taught in College Classes

We all learn a lot from reading science fiction books—not just the cool ideas, but also the fascinating thought experiments. But college professors often reach for classic science fiction when they’re planning classes on literature, society or philosophy. Here are 11 science fiction books that are often taught in college. Read more...

Simon & Schuster is Cheating Authors With eBook Royalties

When you purchase an eBook you are merely licensing the digital file and there is no outright ownership.  Simon & Schuster apparently did not get the memo and has been paying authors royalties based on sales. This is a big deal because the average author gets paid 25% for a sale, whereas they should have been getting 50% for the license. This situation has pissed authors off and has resulted in a new class action lawsuit against the publisher. Read more...

Smartphone Addiction and Our Spiritual ADD

If I am being honest, I have to admit that my iPhone habits have been largely unchecked, undisciplined, and unhealthy. And in a recent survey of 8,000 of our readers, many of you honestly admit the same struggle. Read more...

---

Liked what you read? Want to known when new posts are up?

To follow me on Twitter or Google+ click on the images below.

        

---