With apologies to the Troggs. I think I love Library Thing.
It's the first Web 2.0 application that I've been tempted to invest quite a bit of my own time in. (OK so maybe I watched slightly more Youtube videos than strictly required).
I can't explain it, but it's inordinately fascinating to be able to look at pictures of your books. Hyperreality - as once read, I don't pay that much attention to them on the shelves. But there they are with their real covers cheerfully looking at me from my pc, randomly rearranging themselves.
And how bizarre to find that other people have 20 / 50 / 60 of my titles. Who are they? I thought I was special. (Mind you, some of these people have a serious book problem.) Spookily, some are also librarians.
I know I'm not completely smitten as I haven't been tempted (yet) to make pictures of myself from my books. You are what you read?
http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/technology/you-are-what-you-read/
Are there other possible applications? Fridge Thing, where you can download pics of your groceries from online supermarkets and compare with other people's holdings? You could have a little widget on your blog that allows you to open the fridge door and peer in. If this idea catches on you read it here first.
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1 comment:
Love the idea - so does Frances! Bill had a small smile but he hasn't quite fathomed the blog thing let alone Librarything. He has only sent three emails in his life.
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