The Encyclopaedia Britannica editors announced today that they will no longer publish their famous multi-volume series. I can’t say that I’m surprised, but it definitely makes me feel like I’ve lost a part of my childhood. I was lucky enough to have a set in my military family home. My father bought a copy of the Britannica when I was young. Knowing what I know now, it wasn’t quite in our budget - but he felt it was something an educated family should have. Every year he bought the “Book of the Year” as to supplement our little library.
When I was a child I loved thumbing through the pages, smelling the rich leather and learning the British spelling of words. If I wanted to know something, it took some effort. Now it takes seconds on my phone. Britannica itself is not going away, in fact the website is still going strong and selling ‘premium membership.’
I do love technology and the march of progress. My Dad instilled that in me - he’s close to retirement but just moved from his Blackberry to an iPhone. The price for the last edition is $1395.00. 
I don’t know that I’d ever buy a Britannica for my home. I think I just like the idea of it being available, and that my kids could look through it for school. Fourteen hundred dollars could buy a kindle and nook color for each member of my family.
Those things would be nice, but they sure won’t smell as good.
robertdegrouchy posted this