Across the digital divide.

[kylakae]

Originally posted by seanan_mcguire at Across the digital divide.
Let's talk about poverty

Comments

[millysdaughter]

When I was a kid with nothing, any nice thing I had the audacity to have would be quickly stolen, either by people just as poor as I was, or by richer kids who wanted me to know that I wasn't allowed to put on airs like that. If my books had been virtual, then those people would have been stealing my entire world. They would have been stealing my exit. And I don't think I would have survived.

A-men, sister!
I grew up in that world myself. Another valid reason that paper books are better -- I doubt if a shiny e-book reader would survive being thrown against the wall (or out the window) after being snatched from my hands because I did not respond instantly to a comment or question while I was reading.

[kylakae]

I must also admit that I love the feel of a book in my hands. I love the smell of my books, whether they are freshly printed or old and musty. Also, I don't have to shut them when the plane takes off. :)

[millysdaughter]

I have not purchased an e-book reader...I am a hold-out.

[kylakae]

I have an iPad, and I can appreciate the convenience of being able to just download a new book if I've run out of something to read and can't get to a bookstore. I also read and night and it allows me to turn off the bedside lamp which lets my hubby sleep better.

[musicchef]

My biggest issue with this is content. As a researcher, there is a disturbing lack of information in the subjects I research on a daily basis. I fear just like the transition from vinyl to CDs there is going to be a large bulk of information that's going to be deemed "irrelevant" and future generations are going to miss out on information that's vitally important to tell the real story about historical moments.

[evilgrins]

Heard it was your birthday.

[kylakae]

Thank you! :)

[kylakae]

Thank you :)