March 18, 2016 TO ALL CONGREGATIONS Re: Discontinuing Feature-Length DVD and Audio CD Production

[Jack Ryan]

20160318E.pdf

[Brian W. Hill]

We have large number of elderly who do not understand modern0 technology so we ave aranged for DVD or Videos for them as needed. It is done as a totaly free service for them any of them who wishes to make a contrabution are encouraged to put it in to the World Wide Work.

[Evacuated]

Just an information packaging/distribution issue really.

As long as the information (which itself is not charged for) is available by the cheapest, most accessible means, the cost of distribution should be spread as far as possible down the chain to the end user, within the bounds of economic reasonableness. In those parts of the world where technology is widespread and cheap, many are able to produce dvds for the equivalent of a few cents each. Distribution is much more effectively done, with no production, packaging or distribution costs or time involved. A production could be released and in the hands of the consumer in minutes.

Really, there is no hardship, in technically developed areas, for a congregation to ensure all members have access to dvds, individually, if the playback equipment is available, if not, then as a group, if equipment is shared.

Not currently the case with printed material however, as personal printing is not currently economic. How much would it cost to print and bind a magazine or book personally, with current technology?

I can't see digitalisation ever replacing the printed page for theocratic material in this economically divided world, but the immediate and universal access this method of communication allows us is nothing short of revolutionary.