Good point in pointing out the discrepancy between music streaming and book borrowing. Online libraries in the US are managed by some kind of digital rights software, which seems to essentially allow libraries to own a limited number of digital copies of a book. Streaming services like Tidal and Spotify seem to pay out a tiny amount of money to artists each time content is streamed. Is it something about library budgeting that doesn’t allow for this? Is it just historical baggage that hasn’t been rethought?

The music streaming model is honestly terrible for musical artists, so I’m not saying that’s necessarily the direction we should head. But you’re right that I’m not limited to listening to a song just because someone else is, and it would be extremely helpful if the same applied to library books.

As it is, when I have time to read I put in the request to borrow a book, and then it becomes available 1 to 10 weeks later (whether or not I’m ready to read it at that point). Then I only get 2-3 weeks to fit reading it into my schedule. It doesn’t work out half the time as I get busy with other things… So how is it not easier to pirate it or buy it? I love and support my library, but golly this digital system is dysfunctional.

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They also treat artists like shit. I switched over to Tidal simply to get access to Joanna Newsom’s music, as she won’t tolerate Spotify’s terms. Tidal isn’t much better, but it is slightly.

I was looking forward to blockchain cutting out the middle man in paying artists. Too bad it has so far not happened that way.

I use the Google keyboard at speed and it works great, while the iphone used in the same manner was completely impossible. Even the Google keyboard installed on the iphone was awful.

I’ll try your tip and go slower. Maybe that will make a difference.

Unions also call for strikes as a centralized authority, which the US populace completely lacks. When France had those huge labor strikes a few years ago it was all called for by 5 or 6 unions.

I tell everyone I know to sign a strike card at https://generalstrikeus.com/ but that platform is fully decentralized. Right now it takes several days for another 10K signatures, and the critical mass we’re trying to achieve is 11 million. Yes, it’s the best option I’ve found, and YES that rate will increase exponentially the more people who get involved, but is it efficient and timely? No, but it’s the best we’ve got rn because the power of labor unions has been purposefully dismantled over decades.

Sign a strike card! https://generalstrikeus.com/

Ah that makes perfect sense. I’m alone for much of my day.

It seems to work terribly on iphones, even with Google’s keyboard. (Source: one single iphone which was entirely uncooperative.)

I’ve always swiped but somehow just installed voice to text last week. Game changer!

Can I root my 10 year old Kindle Paperwhite?