King of Kensington
Senior Member
Doug Ford falsely claimed that there were more libraries than Tim Horton's in his ward. Even if were true - why is that bad?
What doyu think is the percentage of people these days that dont have DVDs or Cellphones? Even though I work in Jane and Finch I would find it very difficult to find any family without these two products. Cell phones for whatever reason have become necessities (even though I would argue they are not). The reason I mention cell phones is because at one time it was considered a very luxurious product. However today it seems like almost everyone has them. Same with DVDs. Maybe some people are bootlegging them but either way they still have them. Similarly when Ebooks become as widespread (10years) everyone will have one and will be able to get legal or illegal access to the books for them. Inevitably, eventually ebooks will become standard and the argument that "poor people" will sufferwithout libraries will be absurd.
So you're suggesting that people should obtain books through illegal means if they can't afford to purchase books themselves? Are you serious? Haven't you seen the recent issues in the US that have come up over intellectual property? The future of piracy prevention is going to make it something no one will want to be involved with. Also, simply the fact that you would suggest that people steal to meet their needs is absolutely mindboggling in what is one of the richest cities in one of the richest countries in the world. It's like saying we shouldn't have food banks because people could steal food from supermarket sidewalk displays.
You do also realize that Toronto has the highest child poverty rates in the province, right? And that 1 in 4 people and 1 in 5 famiilies in the city live in poverty? And that these numbers consist particularly of newcomers to the city, racialized groups, Aboriginal people, single-mother families and residents with disabilities? Oh and then there's the increasing number of not just seniors, but seniors who are slipping into poverty themselves (over 1 in 5). These are all people who can't afford tablets or Kindles and they won't be catching up anytime soon if trends over the last 20 years (as in, the poor are getting poorer) continue. Also, let's say they can afford a Kindle or whatever, the TPL loans e-books.
The idea that technology will eventually prevail only leaves those who can't afford it or can't use it in the dust. Is that the type of society we want? Certainly not.
Pick up a KOBE/KINDLE and embrace the digital revolution, because even if you dont its coming anyway. BTW I really need to buy a Kindle/KOBO...
I dont agree with irishmonk who believes that because we have multimillion dollar condos downtown then obviously we can have the every service plus an expanding TTC. We are running a deficit. That is undeniable, and we have to stop looking to the province and the federal governmewnt to bail us out. The only time that would be acceptable to me or more importantly realistic is if we hosted the 2020 summer gAMES. I dont agree with most of what rob ford does but I would be willing to shuffle around money so that the TTC gets a bigger share, even if that means making some tough decisions on what needs to be cut.
I agree irishmonk, circular argument. Its not that I havent found libraries useful in the past. I am just questioning their usefulness in the future.
Sixrings, if you are completing a master's at U of T, you would know that it is a habit for many students to print their work and edit it on paper before submission. Things just look differently on paper than they do on a screen.
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The surplus was left from the previus budget year - it doesn't mean the following year will have the same surplus.The deficit is largely a creation of Ford's (Miller left us a surplus)