Jesse Jackson Jr., the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 2nd congressional district and admitted iPad owner, made a bizarre presentation to the House of Representitives. Jackson claimed the iPad was “probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs.” Not only that, but he continued on to link it to the bankrupcy of Border's Books and the future demise of the textbook industry. Huhhh???
"A few short weeks ago I came to the House floor after having purchased an iPad and said that I happened to believe, Mr. Speaker, that at some point in time this new device, which is now probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs. Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine."
Let's put this in perspective. The printed paper products, whether books, newspapers or magazines are basically on a slow road to extinction, but just how fast is anyone's guess. Is this a bad thing? All technological changes create job displacement. Modernization in factory production cost many, many jobs, yet are there any among us that would like to go back to the good old pre-technology days and live without modern technology, such as electricity, medicine, clean water and safe food? I suppose there are a few out there, and certainly the Taliban would cast a vote in that direction, but most of us enjoy the longer lifespans and relative comfort that modern technology has brought us.
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