Reflections Upon E-readers
At this moment, there’s a book in my computer bag. There are two books on the floor of my car. There are books piled on my desk. There are books in every room of my home (no, really - every room). Books have been faithful friends and constant companions from the first day I could turn pages and see pictures.
Of course I see the advantages of consolidating that vast collection into a single tablet: more efficient, more affordable, more portable, more practical …
You know what? Forget practical. These aren’t just volumes of words, they’re BOOKS. Solid, whole, and dependable. Monuments to knowledge and imagination. My favorite paperbacks are weathered, stained, dog-eared, torn, and taped. They’ve been dropped, tossed, kicked, soaked, and smashed. I scoff at your e-reader.
If I were about to spend another six months at sea or six weeks on the road, I might bend to necessity and pick up an e-reader. But given the means and opportunity, I’ll choose the printed word every time. I want to hold a book, feel its weight, and make the journey from cover to cover - page by paper page.
The joy I find in a good book is more than just intellectual; it’s emotional, even visceral. Your e-reader can’t compete. I’ll take my books without batteries, thanks.
[Cross-posted from the company blog.]
Of course I see the advantages of consolidating that vast collection into a single tablet: more efficient, more affordable, more portable, more practical …
You know what? Forget practical. These aren’t just volumes of words, they’re BOOKS. Solid, whole, and dependable. Monuments to knowledge and imagination. My favorite paperbacks are weathered, stained, dog-eared, torn, and taped. They’ve been dropped, tossed, kicked, soaked, and smashed. I scoff at your e-reader.
If I were about to spend another six months at sea or six weeks on the road, I might bend to necessity and pick up an e-reader. But given the means and opportunity, I’ll choose the printed word every time. I want to hold a book, feel its weight, and make the journey from cover to cover - page by paper page.
The joy I find in a good book is more than just intellectual; it’s emotional, even visceral. Your e-reader can’t compete. I’ll take my books without batteries, thanks.
[Cross-posted from the company blog.]