The Sword and Laser discussion

Just got this email from Amazon stating my version of Reamde has "missing content" Is it just a few typos or like a whole chapter? In any case I'm holding on to my limited run misprint digital first edition! It's going to be worth BANK!

Hello,

We're writing about your past Kindle purchase of Reamde: A Novel by Neal Stephenson. The version you received had Missing Content that have been corrected.

An updated version of Reamde: A Novel (ASIN:B004XVN0WW) is now available. It's important to note that when we send you the updated version, you will no longer be able to view any highlights, bookmarks, and notes made in your current version and your furthest reading location will be lost.

If you wish to receive the updated version, please reply to this email with the word "Yes" in the first line of your response. Within 2 hours of receiving the e-mail any device that has the title currently downloaded will be updated automatically if the wireless is on.

You can find more information about Kindle related topics here:

http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport

We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your business with Amazon.


Sincerely,

Customer Service Department
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/

I would think the DRM on the book linking it to your amazon account would prevent it from being resold. Its an interesting idea though and outlines a contrast between value of digital versus printed perceived worth of misprints.

I think that the value of a collectible would be dependent on it being resell-able. Would you be willing to sell your amazon account to another person so that person could access that book?

I do see the value in owning collectibles that do not have resale value as mementos, I was just remarking on Tom's thought above.

Am I missing a way to sell a kindle book that I already own?

The digital age really does some damage to the collectible market. Maybe there will need to digitally sign upcoming releases so that they could not be copied. That would be interesting, a limited number of digital copies of a work, without the ability to copy them. DRM would not solve the problem as a copy could be made but not played/read/used. Then again that defeats the purpose of creating a digital work.

Great thought provoking topic Tom!

[Edit: I over thought this... Too much caffeine!]

I was sort of kidding about making bank.

Your copy is missing the part where the planet is destroyed by a meteorite.

Hey I got the Kindle copy and no email about missing content? Any idea what was missing Tom?

I'd copy the original AZW from the kindle and update Reamde, but I'm a digital pack rat.

A piece of digital history.