Straight through processing
Seth Godin posted comments about the Kindle on his blog. He intends not to write directly for the Kindle until the device offers more than a linear reading experience.
It's precisely a strong linear experience from which the power of the book derives. A book gives an author a chance to refine his speculation, research, and inspiration. It presents elevated thought and experience. It doesn't need improvement. That's why the book has been around so long.
I understand Mr. Godin's point about a new device like the Kindle needing additional value over the book in order to establish its relevance. If it just does what books do, why don't you just get books?
However, consider the iPod, another linear content delivery device. It didn't enhance the linear listening experience. So what did it do that portable CD players couldn't? It improved on portability and accessibility. With an iPod you don't have to decide what you want to listen to in advance and then lug CDs around. This boon helped make iPods and other digital listening devices ubiquitous.
Even if the Kindle proves to be nothing more than an iPod for books, it will still be a boon. It also highlights an interesting pendulum swing in attitude. When hypertext came along we began losing our ability to focus. Now everyone seems to acknowledge, at least to some extent, that we're a little too distracted with all of our multi-tasking.
An antidote
The Kindle speaks to our growing sense that maybe we just don't need to bounce around so much. We've been getting behind in our reading; so far behind that we can't lug around all those books we want to read. Hey, let's take the benefits of portability and accessibility that iPods gave us and apply them to our must-read reading list. Maybe we've been a little hungry to get absorbed by one thing and pay attention.
Uh, I'll get back to you. Right now I'm reading. Don't bother me...