Booksquare

We celebrate the (apparent/reported/beyond-rumor-stage) acquisition of a major motion picture studio by our former employer (also a major motion picture entity) with a little finance related posting. But first, we’ll take a brief moment to gloat. When we were assured by our former co-workers that this acquisition would not go through, we said (and we paraphrase), “But we read it on the Internet. It must be true.” It is always delightful to be right — especially since we know the additional work will not affect us in our life of leisure^*.

Now that the confetti has settled, let us say we applaud Holtzbrinck Publishing’s entry into this century. We realize analyzing and forecasting tools are not easy to use, what with the X-factor, but the company is right to use all available data to make the best decisions possible. We know this information will be used to guide purchasing decisions, and we say, with all sincerity, rethink that aspect of the purchase. There is not a single computer program in the world that can accurately predict the behavior of the common human. Do not mistake the past for the present. We have seen the folly of this (Cable Guy^**?). At the end of the day, successes and failures will likely be at about the same level as they are now. Let the software do what it does best. And let your editors do what they do best.

^{* – We realize we’re veering dangerously close to a jinx situation. We have knocked on wood.
** – It’s okay, we know, it was just for purpose of example.}

• Hyperion Helps Holtzbrinck Publishing Figure Profits by the Book