Books: printed or electronic?
Being university students, we all know the benefits of reading books. They have been our source of knowledge and entertainment for centuries and one of my predecessors even did a presentation about them, so I do not think I have to introduce their qualities any longer. Today, however, I would like to present a different debacle. Considering the new age of digitalization we live in right now, why do we still stick to paperback books instead of any other form of written word?
A printed book is a centuries old invention, going back as far as 2000 years and our civilization got very used to the idea behind it. The medium used to transform a spoken word to a written word changed from stone to papyrus to paper and many many more. Lately however, I suspect books face the biggest transformation of all time. In a nutshell, we changed the form of book from a physical object to a collection of data, which we can read on whatever device we own.
There is many pluses to owning an ebook device like Kindle. One of the more obvious ones is definitely its efficiency. We can store hundreds of books on one device, which is both practical in terms of space saving, but also can provide a variety of positions in the most unusual places. Second very important advantage is the conservation of trees used for producing paper. Living in age of environmental changes and growing awareness, I can see how this argument can be incredibly convincing. The last argument in favor of ebooks, that I will put forward here is the fact, that after the initial cost of an ebook device like Kindle, ebook files are several times cheaper than their paperback equivalents. After three hard examples like that it is obvious we all should already skip paper and go electronic, right?
Well, not really. Studies show, that in 2019 paper books were still almost 40% more popular than ebooks. Considering how long ebooks have been on the market, the difference is astounding. The easiest answer is probably the sentiment connected to owning a paper edition. The cover and feel of pages makes it easier to distinguish one book from another, studies show. The smell can evoke memories. We as a civilization are still in lover in paper book, because of its physical qualities. And it does not seem to be willing to go away quickly.
Sources:
https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/paper-books-vs-ebooks-statistics/
https://www.businessinsider.com/ebooks-vs-books?IR=T
https://www.writoscope.com/reading/ebooks-vs-printed-books-reasons-better/
Questions:
- Do you think we will gradually get rid of paperback publications?
- Are you sentimental when it comes to books? Or maybe you like the collecting aspect of paper editions?
- Are you an ebook fan, paper edition fan, or maybe both?
I think that we’ll never get rid of paper books. I’m not a book lover and I only read books that can help me improve myself. As a result, I prefer ebooks as I can grab them with me and keep all of them on my smartphone. It’s simply more convenient for me but I understand people that prefer paper books. Some of them love the whole ‘ceremony’ of reading the book and they also like to feel that atmosphere. I have no doubts that the feeling of the real paper and also its smell takes a big part in that atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think we will ever get rid off paper books. For me personally reason is obvious, its easier to read. After whole day working with electronical devices my eyes are tired, if I would need to read as well books on electronic devices I would become blind very soon :D Eyes get tired much slower for me as I compared once Kindle with regular book. Im not sentimental with books but I treat them as well as a part of decorations in my house, once I read one I put it on my special bookcase. As mentioned above, im a big fan of paper books, tried more than 5 times to get into Kindle but I think its not for me.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, looking at screen all day long makes one less receptive to reading books from screen as a form of relaxation. I am a good example of that as well ;)
DeleteIn my opinion We will not get rid of paper books, maybe I am wrong, but it just seems right to me :).
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think I am a little bit sentimental when it comes to books, I like the fact that I have old books I read as a child. It is a nice reminder of my childhood. I also like collecting aspect of books as I often come back to the titles I love and read them again.
I am definitely a paper edition fan but I must admit I read both, I think reading ebboks is really comfortable wherever we are, but nothing relaxes me more that a classic book.
I can see you can see pluses on both ends of the spectrum, I can relate to that. Maybe that is the best place to be for books right now :)
DeleteJoanna Apoń
DeleteI think that we will not get rid of paper books because people like me that just like to hold books in their hands, or like the smell of books:)
ReplyDeleteI'm collecting the books, but i dont think I'm sentimental about them. If I like a book I'm trying to buy all series to my book case when I have free founds.
I don't like electronic version of books of any kind. I'm sometimes using a PDF versions of book only at work or school, but rarely and without excitement:) Like I said at the beginning I prefere clasic printed books
I also collect books, there is something that is very fulfilling about having a nice books collection :) PDF versions always make me feel like they belong sorely in the work related environment.
Delete1. I think that paper books will never lose their value. Despite the fact that nowadays we have many readers which can play books, many of us still reach for the paper version, which never goes out of fashion. However, there is nothing like paper and touching the cover of your favourite book.
ReplyDelete2. I definitely enjoy reading paper books more than e-books. Unfortunately, I'm not a collector and I don't have a huge bookcase at home, but my mother has one and I've always envied her for it.
3. As I mentioned earlier, I'm more of a paper book fan :)
Yes, I think due to environmental reasons we will gradually get rid of paperback publications. I am sentimental when it comes to books, however it is not the only reason I prefer paper books. For me it is simply more comfortable to read from paper other than from any kind of electronic device. That is why I have to admit that I am more of a paper edition fan. On the other hand, I used Kindle a few times and it seems not as bad as I assumed it would be. If it is really for the good when it comes to environment, I think I am ready to undertake a change in digital direction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing up the environmental aspect, it is indeed very important :) I am not sure of the numbers, but fortunately it seems that even paper publications seem to go in the way of being recycled, which is a good thing I think. Also it would be very good to consider, as we buy books, to maybe choose used books as an option.
Delete
ReplyDelete1. I believe that the use of paper in many aspects of our lives will be limited. We can sign important documents electronically in Poland today. We already keep our documents such as driving license and ID card in the application. Recently, even confirmation of being vaccinated against Covid-19 is also in electronic form. In large part, it is also transferred to books or other works that have so far been in the paper version.
2. I like the smell of books. Interestingly designed covers and this specific touch of paper which is very pleasant. Of course, there are also editions of the entire collection of books that can decorate our shelf.
3. He's more of a fan of old school books. Although on a daily basis I use electronic versions of documents more and more often, books are quite universal and I prefer paper versions.
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ReplyDelete1. To be honest I don't think that we will totally get rid of traditional form of books (I hope so). I truly believe that paper has many positive aspects that simply can't be replaced with electronics. This specific scent from old books for example. I believe that even in the future there will be people that will be passionate about keeping paper books and there still will be the market for it.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, I'm sentimental a lot. I love collecting books in their traditional form. In my room there's more than one bookshelf and I'm still adding to my collection new books. I can't even think about gettig my personal books in electronic form. Sometimes I randomly think about a specific title (which I read some long time ago) and I get really mad if I can't find it quickly.
3. To be honest I'm both. Both electronic and paper have their own advantages and are good for different situations. As a hobby I prefer the traditional ones - as I said before I'm quite sentimental, I like collecting them. On the other hand, the electronic verions are of course much easier to obtain or to travel with. Electronic verions is perfect for documents and anything related to business/official situations. It's way easier to get everything done via online
Thanks so much for commenting! I have to say that is exactly my stance on this matter as well :) I am also very sentimental with my books, and I love collecting them, but when occasion arises I am not afraid to use Kindle. Everything has its best form it seems.
DeleteThanks so much for commenting! I have to say that is exactly my stance on this matter as well :) I am also very sentimental with my books, and I love collecting them, but when occasion arises I am not afraid to use Kindle. Everything has its best form it seems.
DeleteI am not a book lover, or rather, I am not a reader in general, I love films. Nevertheless, I do sometimes read and when I do it I prefer the paper edition. There are several of my favorite books, although I have not read many books in my life, but nevertheless I read those favorites from year to year in paper format. No screen can replace paper no matter how practical it is. A screen is just a screen, but when it comes to choosing a book, everything matters: paper weight, color, palette, size, weight, and so on. When I buy a book, I treat the choice as respectfully as the choice of sneakers or a phone.
ReplyDeleteI agree, screen can’t fully replace the whole experience of reading a paperback edition. There is a whole process that comes with reading a book, and it seems that when time passes we can see that also reflecting on how the book ages. It is, I think, very important to respect objects that have value to us so kudos to you, for acknowledging that :)
DeleteIn my opinion, it's eventually possible but I wouldn't consider it as granted. As selling statistics show there is still a big interest in paper versions of books and it will hold on some level for an unknown amount of time.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like collecting a books but only these which I liked a lot and look good on a shelf. I treat it wrong possibly, but a collection of paper books is for me a little like furniture.
I don't have a precise opinion about this. I use books in both editions. There are situations where kindle became a really handy tool, but there are also situations when I don't use kindle at all. When I read in the garden, woods, or at a beach I don't want to use any technology and just chill out with my paper book. On the other hand, when it comes to being eco, kindle like devices are in the first place I guess.