I don't know anything about the shifting seas of the publishing industry, Amos. ;-) But you are quite right that the world is not what it was. It's becoming more horrifying, decadent, and weird with each passing year...

Now, can you tell me what "insensate gelidity" means?

I presume that insensate means "unfeeling" or "incapable of empathy", but I have no idea what "gelidity" means.