Week 10 Reflections

Week 10 Reflection

Is the Internet Replacing Everything We Read?

 

Courtesy from Google Images:http://genevalunch.com/category/techmedia/

Patrick Chappatte cartoon that appeared on GenevaLunch.com in 2009 (©2013 Chappatte, distributed by Globe Cartoon. More cartoons on Chappatte’s web site. Geneva-based Patrick Chappatte works for the International Herald Tribune, for Geneva newspaper Le Temps, and for NZZ am Sonntag. All cartoons reproduced with permission.)

 

 

After reading Books and other Fetish Objects I have come to the conclusion that, at least for me, it is not so much that digital content holds less value than "paper and glue;" but, rather it loses some of its actual presence/substance. By actual presence/substance I mean, if reading a Circa 896 manuscript even with its notes in the margins online is certainly not the same experience as holding the actual created object in hands.  There is a completely different dynamic and energy transpiring between reading an online book than holding the original in your hands. I think in part it has a lot to do with the sensory experience, feeling, touching, smelling and possibly even hearing as you turn the pages. These sensory sensations are lost with digital content. My son told me recently that he, who grew up in the E-Age, cannot read with out a background light. What he means is that he prefers to read his news, books, all content on an electronic device, not the paper. What does this mean, well, I think a lot of what is happening with electronic media is part of an evoling culture: the old is fasing out and the new is become digitized. So, for many young people (those under 30) getting thier news, books, any information is now being facilitated through the Net and or some sort of e-device. As part of those e-devices, cell phones seem to be topping the list. I find it interesting and bit condounding as well, when I see people in third world countries on news programs, living in abject poverty but they have their cell phones. This makes me think, that cell phones especially are becoming one of the most coveted and used e-devices on the market. I wish I had bought stock in electronics years ago! ha ha


Those sensory experiences I mentioned were once deemed valuable (or maybe they were just the norm for the times) but now, sadly in my opinion are being replaced with electronic versions of everything. For the sake of technology itself, I can attest that there are benefits to electronic publishing for the consumer, mostly speed and access being the primary ones; but again, in my opinion “There Ain't Nothing like the real thing baby!”  Any one want to hear some good R&B?? Yes? click  on this link for a little auditory treat! http://youtu.be/fg8pRCt-0N4

Of course, what is normal? Well, when I was growing up, they didn't have personal computers, so for me reading a newspaper or book was very normal. What about listening to music? How many people even buy CD's anymore? My guess is not too many, everyone downloads their selections and add to their e-collections via Itunes.  The link I posted above is actually a you tube video of a 'record' . Yes, records/vinyl was normal in its day. I am personally a fan of still putting an album on my turntable, yes even with some background stratches. It's another one of those things that gives me fuller sensory expereince; looking at the album cover, touching the vinyl album, cueing up the the needle, watching the record spin on the turn table are all parts of the sensory experience. Sure I can download the music to an Ipod or my computer, but it lacks substance for me.
 

Another thought I have about print vs. digital is from the point of view of the author. As a writer myself, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to be had by crafting my words with pen and paper. Again, this might be from my early school days when penmanship was practiced. No not a stone tablet! ha ha.   I am not sure if students even practice cursive writing today. Along with the actual writing with pen and paper one has the luxury to doodle and draw next to ones notes, I am a big doodler, it helps stimulate my brain and foster creativity. Perhaps there are actually some software programs that allow for this type of creativity. Do you know?

 
I do however; applaud those who for the sake of preservation that digitize originals lest they be lost for all time that truly is a blessing such as great ancient scrolls or famous books. What of this e-platforms and e-publishing scene through social media? Morrison from the UK in this article says that the new way for authors to get their books marketed is by devoting 20% of their time to writing and 80% marketing online. I recently approached a publisher for a children's book I had written about 5 years ago, and she basically told me the same thing: If I wanted to do the self-marketing via the internet and live appearances great; if not, it was probably not going to fly off any book stores shelves. This is sad and upsetting to me but shows me that in today’s world, we all have to wear sOOOOOOO many hats! One cannot just be a writer anymore nor are librarians just librarians, we are community center organizers, tax consultants, mental health advocates, children's specialists, digital wizard, eye vie! When's it gunna end??

  

References:

Gleick, J. (July 16, 2011). Books and other fetish objects. New York Times.

Morrison, E. (July 30, 2012). Why social media isn't the magic bullet for self-epublished authors. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jul/30/tweet-about-cats-just-write