Oh heck, do I ever have the same problem :)

I will read until a particular itch has been scratched, or I feel I've read sufficiently enough to move forward with a project.

Reading for me is meant to enable me with enough information to accomplish something, which is why I hardly ever read fiction.

I confess, I don't watch a lot of movies. When I do, they are usually documentaries which I would argue are solidly in the "quiet is the new loud" camp.

I had "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" on my iphone for the longest time (as well as episodes of The Office) but never watched them, not because I don't like watching movies on a small screen, but because time has been at a premium for me lately.

I don't think I'm hung up on "power of the consumer" as much as "the reality of the market". Traditional distribution channels are disintegrating in the age of the internet. As Roger Ebert put it: "My theory that you should see a movie on a big screen is sound, but utopian."

@ Nick: Minimalism and portability are in. So is simplicity. Quiet is the new loud. Our senses are jarred and throttled on a daily basis and I think people are responding to strong concepts as much or more so than majestic production values and immersiveness (for the most part).

@JimmyZappa: But as an artist, you need to take into account people consume media differently now. Entertainment is portable and more personal. It has to be, or an artist's work may not be seen. As a creator, you need to adapt to these changes. For example, you may be a top producer of television commercials, but if your target audience doesn't watch tv, you're screwed!

@JimmyZappa: Not sure why your comment isn't visible (I'm using a new comment system). Bear with me while I try and work this out. Thanks

Good media entertainment should translate well in a number of different platforms. Entertainment that doesn't tends to be gimmicky.

Besides, the mind embellishes A LOT. It's an active participant in the creation of art and entertainment. I used to listen to Dinosaur Jr. on scratchy vinyl records and almost wept because it rocked out so good. The sound quality wasn't what mattered, it was the expression and emotional connection that blew me away.

Just sayin. Thanks for your comments.