Though the original survey seems to point out some legit problems, I sense that some people ITT are not being usual internet contrarians, but rather highlighting some real contentions with the system of “traditional publishing” which seems to get something of a hagiography here.

First, there resurgence of independent bookstores can probably be attributed to Amazon because it really beat down the big box books stores (Borders, B&N which were the real reason for the decline in independent bookstores) which allowed the independent stores to flourish. I do believe that the use of Amazon also helped many used books stores make enough money to stay afloat (again, it appears that things worked out this way, not that Amazon cared about these places).

Now, if there are numbers that counter this, I’d like to see them.

As it stands, no matter the platform (even most independent stores I go to seem regressive in some senses, though that appears to be changing lately), we still have issues with women being underrepresented as well as diversity still being a large issue.

Let’s hope that one way or another there can be moves towards a more inclusive system in the future.