The Long Tail (edit title)

• Rated 5 stars

“This theory is absolutely relevant to the future economies of first world nations.”

• Rated 2 stars

“The Long Tail started as an article in Wired magazine (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail_pr.html) and then was expanded into a book. Personally I found the article to be long enough for a relatively simple concept and there is little to be gained from reading the book.

Part of the reason I was disappointed in the book was because I was hoping for more discussion on the implications of access to the long tail our notions of society and our place in it. This is finally discussed on p. 189:
"Is a fragmented culture a better or worse culture? Many believe that mass culture serves as a sort of social glue, keeping society together"
Before being dismissed on p.190:
"Is Rosen [an academic with the above opinion] right? I suspect not"

Whilst the concept of the Long Tail is important, the book is not. Whilst Anderson has recognised the changing economics caused by the digital revolution, it will be for others to discuss the implications of such changes in more detail.
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• Rated 5 stars

“This is a great book. Must read for anyone in business, the arts or sciences!”

• Rated 5 stars

“I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book before it was published. Well-written and fascinating. I couldn't put it down. These are exciting times we live in.

One thing that bothers me though is how often I now hear people use the phrase "Long Tail" when they clearly don't have a good understanding of what it really means. Niche products can now find better access to an interested customer base, but you must have great varieties of niche products because each of those products has only a limited market.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Fantastically interesting on a new way to think about publishing and marketing anything. A must read for anyone who works in the internet realm or wants to.”