“If the day comes when college towns don’t have at least one independent book and at least one independent music store, then things really have gone to hell.”
Such judgements are based on pure prejudice, in my opinion. It will never touch the general population no matter how open and easy is it to collect and experience all the goods in the world. But what is replacing the independent book and music stores can easily make for better listened and read consumers. I personally much prefer Amazon to the used bookstore I used to frequent in college. I can get more bang for my buck and much better find what I’m looking for.
In theory, we could all stay in our houses or apartments and order everything we want to be delivered to us. But that's not exactly living and experiencing the world.
There's something of value in old book and record stores and the community that they provide that I wouldn't want to see lost.