The Abuses of Literacy: Amazon Kindle and the Right to Read (Feb 22th)

Information In Society Speaker Series

Mon, Feb 22 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Ted Striphas, Indiana University
GSLIS Room 126

Lecture Abstract:

This presentation focuses on the Amazon Kindle e-reader's two-way communications capabilities on the one hand, and on its parent company's recent forays into data services on the other. Dr. Striphas argues that however convenient a means Kindle may be for acquiring e-books and other types of digital content, the device nevertheless disposes reading to serve a host of inconvenient - indeed, illiberal-ends. Consequently, the technology underscores the growing importance of a new and fundamental right to counterbalance the illiberal tendencies that it embodies - a "right to read," which would complement the existing right of free expression.

Speaker Biography:
Ted Striphas is Assistant Professor and Director of Film & Media Studies in the Department of Communication & Culture, Indiana University. He is author of The Late Age of Print: Everyday Book Culture from Consumerism to Control (Columbia University Press, 2009) and its accompanying blog.

Dr. Ted Striphas is speaking as part of the "Information in Society" speaker series.

Dr. Striphas will also be available for lunch and informal discussion from 12:00-1:30 pm in 242 LIS Building. Contact Linda Smith if you have questions or to let her know you will attend the lunch. Lunch will be provided for the first 10 participants.