What keeps you up at night?

[Patty McClune]

Joyce asked the question but not everyone had a chance to chime in. My fear is that the whole way we regard information is changing. People want it, and often expect it, for free. So how are reputable publishing houses, print and online, going to stay in business as it becomes increasingly difficult for them to earn a profit? Will the companies we rely on to provide us with eBooks and databases (sorry still can’t think of a better name for them) be able to continue to maintain services even if they stop adding new content? Are we moving into a time when people will be satisfied with just getting “hits” and not really evaluate information for accuracy or bias? Will we stop seeing new research, and just keep passing the same stuff around and around on the Web until it begins to be accepted as fact whether or not it really is? Without sounding too much like Chicken Little, this has implications that could shake the whole structure of our free society. Any thoughts to help alleviate my fears are welcome!