Chris Anderson’s new book Free is free to download and read above via Scribd and in other forms as well. You can get the audiobook from Wired if you’d like, or you could read more on Anderson’s blog The Long Tail.
Please also note the already extremely large controversy about how Anderson has lifted content directly from Wikipedia (without attributing) as well as the fact that Anderson apparently doesn’t really know what WordPress is all about.
I honestly wanted to skip reading this book entirely because of those two issues, but it’s probably worth a read. I think there is something directly related to this concept of “free” and the Church at large, so I’m going to dive in.
It’s probably a great book idea for another Group Blogging Project… what do you think?
Adam_S says
I am annoyed that the "free" version is only available through Scribd. That is fine for a chapter or something, but not a whole book. Audible.com does have the audio version for free (Wired's are mp3 files so larger).
I liked reading the long tail so I will probably read (or listen) to Free as well. Sounds like a decent next book for the group blogging project.
human3rror says
sweet! we'll have to do it.
Steve Knight says
John,
I agree that Anderson's "stealing" (not attributing) content from Wikipedia and lack of WordPress knowledge are marks against him as a person/thinker, what do you think of Anderson's ideas in "Free"? That's what I'd like to hear! Do you land on the side of Gladwell or Godin? Or somewhere else?
I've got the 6-hour audiobook downloaded, and I'm looking forward to "reading" it. At first glance (and reading the recent reviews), I'm starting off on the side of Anderson/Godin that more and more content/information will be free and the business models to sustain those delivery mechanisms will be around selling related products (e.g., advertising, sponsorships, etc.). We'll see what I think when I get through it all …
Until then, I'll look forward to you sharing your thoughts/engagements with Anderson's ideas — and what they mean for the Church!
Joanna says
Its on my to read/listen list for when i get the time to go though it and the internet bandwidth to download it (unfortunately the smaller file sized version from audible isn't available in my country). I'd be interested to know what you think of the book once you've read it.
human3rror says
wanna join us for the group blogging project?
Joanna says
I probably wouldn't have time to write heaps on it but i'd be at least writing a review.
room1012 says
I would be ecstatic if you did a group blogging project to Free for two reasons. (1) it's free so anyone can follow along, (2) i won't arrive at the party half-way thru like i did with the flickering pixels group blog (but that's just my opinion 🙂
Oh and thanks for the heads up on the "controversy." I didn't even know…
human3rror says
sweet!
Adam_S says
Rumor has it that a kindle version will be out next week for those that like to read away from their computers. Also the price of Kindle's dropped to $299 today. So you can order a Kindle and read "Free" for free 🙂
human3rror says
wow… 299…. ouch.
stephenbateman says
I'm in on the blogging project.
human3rror says
wor dup!