Is Free Free?

Wired editor and Long Tail author Chris Anderson sees free things everywhere — Google, YouTube, even The New York Times — and concludes that $0.00 the price has revolutionized the modern world as much as zero the concept revolutionized the ancient world. Anderson’s book on the subject, Free: the Future of a Radical Price, goes on sale next week for the decidedly un-radical price of $26.99. You can, however, read Malcolm Gladwell’s not-so-friendly review of the book online for free. Free, except of course for the price you paid for your computer, mobile device, electricity, and internet connection. This hitch is just one problem Gladwell has with Anderson’s idea. (Separately, Anderson seems guilty of Wikiplagiarism.) [%comments]