The Print and the Prejudice- A story of e-reader etiquette and literary love
This love-hate story unfolds from an on-going debate within the world of books; print vs. digital and the complicated relationship the pair have in a forever digitalising world.
Is it possible for these two foes to function side by side in a society that constantly compares and contrasts them both? Will one ultimately triumph over the other or is a level of literary harmony and mutual appreciation the idealistic ending to a once bitter argument?
While both Mr.Print and Miss.Digital offer extremely different qualities and possess their very individual flaws it is apparent that it’s a simple case of the bookworms cup of tea, and by this I mean whether the worm is more digitally or print inclined. Mr.Print racks up a lot of attention due to his traditional ways, his fresh smelling sent of bound pages and the crisp flick of his sheets; I’ve come to realise he offers quite the experience. While younger and forever maturing Miss.Digital offers convenience and an effortless travelling companion for those on the go; some say she has a lack of warmth and depth-her words hidden behind a screen.
A group of 1000 passionate booklovers were asked what the top reasons for choosing a print book over an e-book is and a grand 65% said:
“Feeling- the sheer physicality, the weight, notes and inscriptions, dog eared memories, creasing, and the old ticket tucked in page 56.” (Infographic Online 2014)
Feeling, something that Miss.Digital seems to short of. Although E-books are continuously improving and coming on leaps and bounds within the publishing world will they ever offer an experience close to that of a book? For now it seems, they offer convenience but not ample satisfaction.
“The percentage of adults who read an e-book in the past year has risen to 28% up from 23% at the end of 2012”(Pew Research 2014) however “most people who read e-books also read print books, and just 4% of readers are e-book only” (Pew Research 2014)
It seems the pride truly lies with Mr.Print and the habits of a world with regards to the written word, there’s a sense of loyalty that lies with bricks and mortar and a trepidation that comes with tech and tablets.
I love having the option of not just what to read, but how to read it, whether to download a book or pop to the book store and pick one up (being lured into a quick flick through and sly sniff of the new crisp pages.)
The relationship of e-books and printed books will only continue to grow as both it seems have a strong foundation in todays literary society, perhaps to a point where books in store may be purchased with a downloadable version; a way that both can operate free from prejudice but oozing pride, a love story like no other. Oh and whilst we are on the subject of all things love and romance, a study by BISG found that the top genre to read on an e-book is Romantic/Erotic fiction (Digital Book World 2013)-after all some books are best left to the readers imagination and not that of the general public on the X90 bus…
http://the-digital-reader.com/2014/02/18/infographic-top-ten-reasons-choosing-paper-book-ebook/#.VDwIGxaiZlI
http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2013/bisg-report-a-few-more-ebook-stats/
http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/16/e-reading-rises-as-device-ownership-jumps/