Treehugger writes about a library lending seeds.  I like this idea.  It fits into the new mode of creation rather than consumption at the library in the most symbolic way.  Plus it could be very helpful for many communities.  I just hope that this kind of thing can spread to rural areas and not run afoul of Monsanto’s seed copyrights.

Boing Boing links to a story about how a library threatened with budget cuts asks its patrons to check out every item from the shelves.

This is like some wonderful dream!  I’m glad that someone in the recording industry has the sense to hand some stuff over for proper digital preservation.  It would be nice if they ALL did it, but this is a good start.  Now I just need to refresh my memory of the extensive Universal music catalog.

[via The Consumerist]

I like what Ms. Lacy is saying here.  I am somewhat torn about this.  I don’t like what Judith Greggs did. At the same time, I don’t think that the entire magazine should fail because of it. We are a country of second chances.  Vigilante justice is not acceptable.

It’s actually quite a charming building in Ann Arbor, MI.

It’s National Novel Writer’s Month!  For those so inclined, try to write a novel this month.  The website nanowrimo.org has a competition of sorts that provides support and forums and lots of other great stuff for anyone trying to write in November.  The challenge at the website is to write 50,000 during the month of November.  It’s not about the quality, just the quantity.  It’s just about the practice of writing.  So join me! Write a novel in November!

Great list!  But they forgot the owl from Avatar: the Last Airbender.

[io9]

The Telegraph is saying what many people have already been thinking, that publishers are screwed.  eBooks are extremely easy to find online and there is little deterrent for pirates.  Now, publishers could go the unpopular RIAA route and sue people to ensure their inflated prices can remain, or they could lower eBook prices to reflect the real demand curve.  I hope publishers do the latter.

Remember, the marginal cost of ebooks is 0.  There is only the initial capital invested in the author that should be factored into the ebook price.  People know this.  That’s why we think it’s insane that an ebook should cost the same as a hardcover.  Publishers need to realize this.

[The Telegraph]