An interesting perspective! I had a recent insight into this at YALC in London, where people dragged empty book crates through the hall, collecting special editions of books they most likely already own. I loved the hell out of it; so much joy and excitement about books. A community bonded by books. People talking about books, excited by their purchases, but also by the fellow book lover they met in the queue who was wearing the same badge as them. I definitely have capitalism and over-consumerism on hard watch, but when it comes to books, anything that gives people book frenzy makes me happy. I also wonder that the current decline of MMP might be a dip, and like so many stages of the capitalist cycle, will have a resurgence depending on some trend or other. I stay hopeful.