Skip to content

Have they all bought Kindles? I have one, and I use it…

“Have they all bought Kindles? I have one, and I use it most nights. I always imagine the books staring and whispering, Traitor! -- but come on, I have a lot of free first chapters to get through. My Kindle is a hand-me-down from my dad, one of the original models, a slanted, asymmetrical plate…” quote by Robin Sloan
Download Open image
““Have they all bought Kindles? I have one, and I use it most nights. I always imagine the books staring and whispering, Traitor! -- but come on, I have a lot of free first chapters to get through. My Kindle is a hand-me-down from my dad, one of the original models, a slanted, asymmetrical plate with a tiny gray screen and a bed of angled keys. It looks like a prop from 2001: A Space Odyssey. There are newer Kindles with bigger screens and subtler industrial design, but this one is like Penumbra's postcards: so uncool it's cool again.””

Robin Sloan

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker humorously reflects on using an old Kindle, comparing its dated design to sci‑fi props and noting its quirky charm despite newer models.

In simple terms: An old Kindle feels cool because it’s uncool.

Key Takeaway

Embrace imperfect tech for its unique character.

Themes

technology nostalgia design reading humor

Mood

playful nostalgic

Type

anecdotal observational

When to use this quote

  • personal reading
  • gifted tech
  • design critique
  • tech nostalgia

Key Concepts

consumer culture aesthetic value digital reading

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the “uncool” aesthetic add to your reading experience?
  • How do you balance functionality with sentimental value?
A Different Perspective

Newer devices may be more functional but lack the quirky appeal of older models.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Robin Sloan

Explore all 227 Robin Sloan quotes

More Books quotes

Browse all 59,485 Books quotes