> That generation is leaving behind an enormous amount of paper and it is mostly going to waste.

But what is really the problem with this? (Assuming the paper in the books is recycled, to be clear.)

I disagree with the idea that books are generally precious objects. At this point in time we have many more books than we need, and many of the books in existence simply will never be read again.

This is an example of a general phenomenon: people keep objects that used to be valuable, just because they used to be valuable (but no longer are).

Think of collections of fine china that you never use, antique furniture, pianos, artwork, old electronics, personal relationships, etc. You either spent money at some point to get the things or someone in the past spent a lot of money on it. Tossing it becomes a repudiation of that past value, a painful admission the value has decayed away.

I've been taking quite a few bags of books down to my local library for their annual book sale. I still have a ton but trying to winnow things down a bit.

So I give them a chance at a new home but having been at the sale on the second weekend I have no doubt that a ton end up pulpled.