Saturday, August 30

Page 69 Test

Have you ever tried the Page 69 Test? I learned of this interesting theory about how to decide if a book is actually worth reading while following the footnote trail--or more accurately, the hyperlink trail--from 43 Folders, to the Christian Science Monitor, to the London Guardian, and then finally to the Page 69 Test itself. Quite an informative journey—and a fascinating exercise. Now, I'm going to try to track down the original Marshall McLuhan source.

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the internet rabbit trail taking a comment of Marshall McLuhan to it's inevitable destiny: a website or country music song. When you find where he was quoted I would love to hear of the particular trail you blazed to find the source. Who would have thought the internet would so pervasive in our lifetimes - that to find a source - which must have taken scholars as recently as the 90's hours and days - now is accomplished in minutes.

    I am going through all your books and put them to the page 69 test - to see if they would win over a stranger.

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  2. Thanks, George for the page 69 info. Keep us posted what you find (that site was light on info about the method, and author, etc).

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  3. Ray --

    You must have a lot of time on your hands!

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