Kindle 2: Can't read? (in Off-topic)

Someone forwarded this to me, and for once caught my eye. Looks like those poor tortured publishers are sticking it to the man... The blind man. I don't see how Amazon providing text to speech is any different from a parent reading to a child.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/4266149

Here's a news article on the subject.
http://news.cnet.com/amazon-retreats-on-kindles-text-to-speech-issue/

Looks like I didn't actually talk about what this is. Amazon was pressured to allow publishers to disable text to speech at their will.

Wouldn't be the first time politics trump innovation. That's why we need hackers, as they are the last line of defense we as a society have between us and being totally at the mercy of those who would like to monetize and control every aspect of what you consume.

Down with the politicians! =P

No, not down with politicians, they are a required part of any democratically organized society. There are simply opposing viewpoints on this issue. On one side there's the "benefit a lot of people" versus "benefit a few people" on the other, and it's always difficult to say to those few people: "Please sacrifice yourself for the benefit of the many". It's easier if the few people simply make this sacrifice willingly.

Yes my statement was merely a joke.

It's too bad it's so difficult for policies to catch up to technology.

I don't think politicians are even involved. Publishers simply threatened to pull books if they couldn't control text to speech availability. It just doesn't make any sense when if I want text to speech I could go to some random website, and enter in the text.

Publishers aren't adding anything themselves. I guess I could see the case for minor compensation... I dunno.