"Several big conglomerates seem to be gobbling up major American publishers. Should we be concerned?" Today MobyLives resurrected this 1987 NY Times article about the shifting world of publishing. More than 20 years later, corporate publishers are struggling with layoffs and restructuring.

GalleyCat caught up with author Douglas Rushkoff, asking how conglomeration has affected publishing. In June, Rushkoff will publish his newest book, "Life Inc: How A Business Plan Took Over The World, And How To Take It Back."

His Random House title argues: "Corporatism tells the story of how we got here, how this value system now perpetuates itself and, most importantly, how we can reconnect with the real and get ourselves out of this mess."