Amazon launches a fund to expand digital reading
techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com
Given that, what difference will this make? In the UK at least, even the poorest of areas has a well-stocked library. The problem isn't access to reading material, it's lack of desire and ability to read it. Those areas need more people actively teaching and encouraging kids to read what books are already there. If it started raining Kindles each containing 1000s of books, I don't imagine anything would change.
So is it different in Kenya and Seattle? Does demand for books outstrip supply?
This true but since there isn't much chance of this happening in any meaningful way I guess we have to take what we can? So amazon's initiative has some merits.
Your point also reminded me of the Dolly Parton thing that's done a lot of good work, in a totally non-cynical way. https://imaginationlibrary.com/
The tech is simply not good enough. Having said that, current tech means much easier discovery and therefore more likely read.
And i think it isn't about digital reading, it about getting people the habit to read books ( not short form like tweet or blogs ). Once there are more people who read books, digital reading will come.
Our government recently gave e-readers preloaded with some books in the public domain and others donated by local writers to children in some schools to encourage reading.