I'm pretty amazed and disappointed that they chose to offer the Salman Rushdie book. I can't see any benefit to offering such an inflammatory title and I can't believe they'd be ignorant enough that they'd fail to realize how potentially offensive the title can be.
What is the drawback? I don't see the point in not offering it, really. The way to deal with people declaring war against books isn't to stop offering them.
Someone from Pakistan here, I believe that Rushdie's book SHOULD be published as much as possible. Unfortunately I am surrounded by nitwits in my country who take "offense" when they can't offer cogent arguments for their position, violence and murder their first line of defence in an ideological discussion. For this reason alone I support anyone who takes a stance against such idiotic psychopathic behavior exhibited by too many Muslims.
The correct answer to speech you don't like is always more speech, never censorship. If you don't like Rushdie's writing, then you can choose not to buy this bundle or anything else with his name on it. You can further exercise your right to speak buy denouncing the Humble Bundle for giving him an implicit endorsement and trying to organize a boycott, if that's your thing. I don't imagine you'd get very far with such a campaign, however; do you really think that there are a lot of people who would be inclined to contribute to the EFF but choose to skip this bundle because of a controversial book?
I have no idea what goes into the selection process, but I do agree that the people who run the Humble Bundle are probably aware of the controversial nature of _The Satanic Verses_, but don't consider blowback to be likely. That's pure speculation of course; you could email them and ask if you're really curious, I guess.
These comments really need an edit button. I apparently had purchasing on the brain and can't differentiate "buy" and "by" when typing comments in the middle of the night.
I'm pretty amazed and disappointed at the Piers Anthony inclusion. Yeah, why not include an author who has written about a five-year-old consenting to intercourse with an adult.
I don't understand why Humble Bundle gets so much press, but bundling sites that actually cater to the indie crowd like Indie Royalle and Indie Gala are completely off the radar.
I'd like to see a little article every week saying what's available on each site, and any others I might be unaware of. Start some kind if Indie Roundup post. That would be very beneficial to people looking to expand their libraries and don't know where to start, rather than simply giving a recap of what Humble Bundle has to offer.
I'd like to see this too. There are a lot of bundles these days and the information presented on the bundle sites isn't all that helpful when deciding on a purchase (in particular, videos seem to be cinematic trailers or five-second clips joined with zooming text, never actual continuous gameplay). Having a weekly column that just 'triages' the games would be very helpful.
Having bought a number of bundles from all three sellers, I think that in addition to (or because of) increased visibility from being first; Humble Bundle has consistently had a higher average quality of titles than either of it's rivals. Indie Royal appears to be targeting a similar demographic and has been close at times; but Indie Gala's gone for a quantity first approach; and to keep prices competitive has mostly recruited from a lower (older?) tier of games than the other two.
"I don't understand why Humble Bundle gets so much press, but bundling sites that actually cater to the indie crowd like Indie Royalle and Indie Gala are completely off the radar.
I'd like to see a little article every week saying what's available on each site, and any others I might be unaware of. Start some kind if Indie Roundup post. That would be very beneficial to people looking to expand their libraries and don't know where to start, rather than simply giving a recap of what Humble Bundle has to offer"
Installing a Crouton (https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton) chroot on ChromeOS is extremely easy, and since all these games are available on Linux, you could very easily get them and run them on Chrome OS (and indeed, Steam and then link your Steam account to your Humble Bundle account and let Steam do the rest for you). Not necessarily for Grandma but running a script and typing a command or two into a terminal is certainly within the power of anyone reading this article, I'd imagine! :)
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TerdFerguson - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
I'm pretty amazed and disappointed that they chose to offer the Salman Rushdie book. I can't see any benefit to offering such an inflammatory title and I can't believe they'd be ignorant enough that they'd fail to realize how potentially offensive the title can be.echoe - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
What is the drawback? I don't see the point in not offering it, really. The way to deal with people declaring war against books isn't to stop offering them.UzairH - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
Someone from Pakistan here, I believe that Rushdie's book SHOULD be published as much as possible. Unfortunately I am surrounded by nitwits in my country who take "offense" when they can't offer cogent arguments for their position, violence and murder their first line of defence in an ideological discussion. For this reason alone I support anyone who takes a stance against such idiotic psychopathic behavior exhibited by too many Muslims.teiglin - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
The correct answer to speech you don't like is always more speech, never censorship. If you don't like Rushdie's writing, then you can choose not to buy this bundle or anything else with his name on it. You can further exercise your right to speak buy denouncing the Humble Bundle for giving him an implicit endorsement and trying to organize a boycott, if that's your thing. I don't imagine you'd get very far with such a campaign, however; do you really think that there are a lot of people who would be inclined to contribute to the EFF but choose to skip this bundle because of a controversial book?I have no idea what goes into the selection process, but I do agree that the people who run the Humble Bundle are probably aware of the controversial nature of _The Satanic Verses_, but don't consider blowback to be likely. That's pure speculation of course; you could email them and ask if you're really curious, I guess.
teiglin - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
These comments really need an edit button. I apparently had purchasing on the brain and can't differentiate "buy" and "by" when typing comments in the middle of the night.dubusadus - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
I'm pretty amazed and disappointed at the Piers Anthony inclusion. Yeah, why not include an author who has written about a five-year-old consenting to intercourse with an adult.fic2 - Monday, January 27, 2014 - link
I am pretty amazed that anyone older than 14 is inflamed by a book. Especially one they most likely have never read.brannank - Saturday, February 8, 2014 - link
Don't EVER be afraid to present the facts. Take the information and study it out yourself. People can get bitter or get better-it's their choice.sumludus - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
I don't understand why Humble Bundle gets so much press, but bundling sites that actually cater to the indie crowd like Indie Royalle and Indie Gala are completely off the radar.I'd like to see a little article every week saying what's available on each site, and any others I might be unaware of. Start some kind if Indie Roundup post. That would be very beneficial to people looking to expand their libraries and don't know where to start, rather than simply giving a recap of what Humble Bundle has to offer.
lmcd - Saturday, January 25, 2014 - link
Seconded.Jeffrey Bosboom - Monday, January 27, 2014 - link
I'd like to see this too. There are a lot of bundles these days and the information presented on the bundle sites isn't all that helpful when deciding on a purchase (in particular, videos seem to be cinematic trailers or five-second clips joined with zooming text, never actual continuous gameplay). Having a weekly column that just 'triages' the games would be very helpful.DanNeely - Tuesday, January 28, 2014 - link
Having bought a number of bundles from all three sellers, I think that in addition to (or because of) increased visibility from being first; Humble Bundle has consistently had a higher average quality of titles than either of it's rivals. Indie Royal appears to be targeting a similar demographic and has been close at times; but Indie Gala's gone for a quantity first approach; and to keep prices competitive has mostly recruited from a lower (older?) tier of games than the other two.JackNSally - Tuesday, January 28, 2014 - link
"I don't understand why Humble Bundle gets so much press, but bundling sites that actually cater to the indie crowd like Indie Royalle and Indie Gala are completely off the radar.I'd like to see a little article every week saying what's available on each site, and any others I might be unaware of. Start some kind if Indie Roundup post. That would be very beneficial to people looking to expand their libraries and don't know where to start, rather than simply giving a recap of what Humble Bundle has to offer"
Then become a writer?
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7717/anandtech-call-...
evonitzer - Wednesday, January 29, 2014 - link
You took the words out of my mouth. Anandtech just had a call to action, and you have a clear message that needs sending. Do it!I have other interests, so I will be submitting something else.
tallrob - Thursday, January 30, 2014 - link
I was completely unaware of both of those until you mentioned them. Have now made purchases on both sites :)mkaibear - Sunday, January 26, 2014 - link
"rouge-like"?*grin*
I suspect the average rogue would be annoyed to be compared to cosmetics. Boy is your face red ;)
keithzg - Monday, January 27, 2014 - link
Installing a Crouton (https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton) chroot on ChromeOS is extremely easy, and since all these games are available on Linux, you could very easily get them and run them on Chrome OS (and indeed, Steam and then link your Steam account to your Humble Bundle account and let Steam do the rest for you). Not necessarily for Grandma but running a script and typing a command or two into a terminal is certainly within the power of anyone reading this article, I'd imagine! :)