The Quiet Crisis in Reading: From Declining Skills to ‘Enshittified’ Books
A troubling trend is emerging: reading, as a skill and a pleasure, appears to be in decline. Reports from organizations like PISA reveal unprecedented drops in reading ability, while anecdotal evidence from university professors suggests even humanities students struggle to complete books. This isn’t just an academic concern; it reflects a broader cultural shift away from sustained attention and deep engagement with the written word, often attributed to the allure of screens.
The Rise of Print-on-Demand and the Degradation of the Reading Experience
But the challenge extends beyond simply making time to read. A growing concern among book lovers is the increasing prevalence of print-on-demand (POD) books, particularly through online retailers like Amazon. While POD technology offers the benefit of making a wider range of titles accessible, it’s also leading to a noticeable decline in the physical quality of books.
What is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand is a process where books are not printed until an order is placed. This contrasts with traditional publishing, where books are printed in large quantities and stocked in warehouses. While it solves the problem of keeping niche titles available, it often results in lower-quality materials and printing.
Spotting a Print-on-Demand Book: A Collector’s Guide to Discerning Quality
Experienced book buyers are learning to identify POD copies quickly. Common indicators include grainy cover textures, lower-resolution artwork, poor page typesetting and a lack of publisher information. Some POD books even feature unusual cover illustrations, like the altered cover of Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy, or are printed in locations far from the publisher’s usual facilities – such as “Printed in France by Amazon” or “Printed in Italy by Amazon”.
The frustrating part? These POD editions often cost more than traditionally printed copies. A Penguin Classics edition of Knut Hamsun’s Growth of the Soil, printed on demand, cost €18, nearly double the price of a standard copy of Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.
The ‘Enshittification’ of Online Book Buying
This trend aligns with a broader internet phenomenon known as “enshittification,” a theory suggesting that digital platforms degrade in quality over time as they prioritize profit over user experience. After capturing a large customer base, platforms begin to extract value for themselves, often at the expense of both users and content creators. For book buyers, this manifests as lower-quality products at higher prices.
Why is This Happening? The Amazon-Penguin Random House Dynamic
The situation appears to be a result of agreements between Amazon and publishers like Penguin Random House. While Amazon’s returns policy offers some recourse, the cycle of ordering, receiving a substandard book, and returning It’s frustrating and wasteful. The lack of transparency – not being informed a book will be printed on demand before purchase – exacerbates the problem.
The Value of the Physical Book and the Joy of Collecting
For many, the physical experience of reading is irreplaceable. The tactile feel of the pages, the visual appeal of a well-designed cover, and the act of building a personal library all contribute to the joy of reading. Inspired by Umberto Eco’s philosophy on book collecting, many readers are embracing the idea of acquiring more books than they can immediately read, creating a curated collection to draw from.
What Can Readers Do?
Several options are available to readers seeking a better experience:
- Buy from Independent Bookstores: Support local businesses and ensure you’re receiving traditionally printed books.
- Consider Alternative Online Retailers: Explore options beyond Amazon.
- Import Books: If a title is readily available in print in other countries (like the US or UK), importing may be a viable option.
- Buy Used: Secondhand bookstores and online marketplaces offer a wealth of affordable, traditionally printed books.
- Request Transparency: Demand that online retailers clearly indicate when a book will be printed on demand.
FAQ: Print-on-Demand Books
Q: What is the main problem with print-on-demand books?
A: The primary issue is a decline in physical quality – lower-resolution printing, cheaper materials, and inconsistent cover designs.
Q: Are print-on-demand books always more expensive?
A: Yes, they often cost more than traditionally printed copies, despite the lower production quality.
Q: Can I return a print-on-demand book to Amazon?
A: Yes, Amazon generally offers refunds for unsatisfactory purchases, including POD books.
Q: Is ‘enshittification’ a real phenomenon?
A: It’s a widely discussed theory suggesting that digital platforms degrade over time as they prioritize profit.
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