Creative Destruction: Encyclopedia Britannica RIP
R.I.P. Encyclopedia Britannica (print edition): 1768 - 2012
The Washington Post reports that Encyclopaedia Britannica will stop publishing its 32-volume, $1,400 print edition, but will continue its digital version.
“This has nothing to do with Wikipedia or Google,” Encyclopaedia Britannica President Jorge Cauz said. “This has to do with the fact that now Britannica sells its digital products to a large number of people.”
MP: Isn't that like saying that declining classified revenues for newspapers has nothing to with Craig's List or eBay?
7 Comments:
I hope someone puts away a few hundred sets, at a discount price. We may need them to reboot civilization.
"Isn't that like saying that declining classified revenues for newspapers has nothing to with Craig's List or eBay?"...
Hmmm, where have I seen something similer before?
given that i didn't even know they had a digital version, i'd say yes, it's just like newspapers claiming the didn't want those pesky classifieds anymore.
What does Wikipedia have to say about the Encyclopedia Britannica, after the no more in-print annoucement?
" Some articles in earlier editions have been criticised for inaccuracy, bias, or unqualified contributors. The accuracy in parts of the present edition has likewise been questioned, although criticisms have been challenged by Britannica's management."
How does Wiki summarize the Britannica's competition?
" Although the Britannica is now available both in multimedia form and over the Internet, its preeminence is being challenged by other online encyclopaedias, such as Wikipedia.[citation needed]"
It's interesting that the last statment (submitted in July of 2011) needs a citation.
The quotes I cited are a somewhat snarky in my opinion, but the Wikipedia entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica is very interesting.
I wonder if the Britannica has a write-up on Wikipedia and what it states?
Jeez, I threw my Britannica in the dumpster 15 years ago.
Buddy,
" Some articles in earlier editions have been criticised for inaccuracy, bias, or unqualified contributors. The accuracy in parts of the present edition has likewise been questioned, although criticisms have been challenged by Britannica's management."
That's funny. Pot, meet kettle.
Or better yet: "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"
You can still buy Brittanica.
On Craig's list
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