This bias of American printed matter was exploited by the gargantuan enterprise and spectacular growth of daily newspapers in the 19th century. It has been reinforced a hundredfold by the rising electronic media. A nation of watchers has its eyes focused on yesterday and today. Even our entertainment is no longer tragedy or comedy but situations that squeeze tears or laughter from the quagmires of this very moment. But book readers have a window to the whole past.
Every book has roots at least six months old.
The full stock of all past books is available without special programming or artificially energized, obsolescing machinery. Every book reader can find momentary refuge from the present. Second, the bias of publicity. We are dominated by public images and publicly spoken words. Sunshine laws make private conferences of our highest officials a new kind of public word.