Yes, that quote seemed odd, so I looked deeper at Le Guin's position.
* Most authors weren't represented in the Google Book Settlement, though they will be severely affected by it.
* The settlement is extremely complicated, and it's difficult to put across all her objections in (say) the span of an interview.
* She does want a global digital library, but not under the control of a corporation like Google. Google of course acts in its own interest (and those of its shareholders), and is not even minimally under popular control.
I agree with these points. However, I wish she'd discuss (more than just in passing during an interview) a fair alternative to Google -- one which is free-as-in-freedom and compensates authors/staff. (Or did I miss it?) Because digitalization is very important, and authors' interests do conflict with those of consumers, under our economic system.
* Most authors weren't represented in the Google Book Settlement, though they will be severely affected by it.
* The settlement is extremely complicated, and it's difficult to put across all her objections in (say) the span of an interview.
* She does want a global digital library, but not under the control of a corporation like Google. Google of course acts in its own interest (and those of its shareholders), and is not even minimally under popular control.
I agree with these points. However, I wish she'd discuss (more than just in passing during an interview) a fair alternative to Google -- one which is free-as-in-freedom and compensates authors/staff. (Or did I miss it?) Because digitalization is very important, and authors' interests do conflict with those of consumers, under our economic system.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/2010/02/conversation-ur...