Are Books Disappearing?

[mydualbrella]

I don't think paper books will disappear.. It's not the same feeling you get when you have to read a book on your computer.. the feeling of owning and holding your favorite book is special...
In my oppinion it would be a great loss to substitute a real book with a computer version..

[Yehochanan]

Even if traditional publishing was pushed from career to hobby, physical books will not be easily killed off by technology. Looking at trends in craft and hobby movements, I believe that people will some how find a way to reconcile the age old disciplines of printing, typography, bookbinding and paper-making with new methods of delivery. All it takes is one person thinking out side the box and our beloved books will survive long into a 1 an 0 dominated age. Who knows maybe some one will be able to integrate oled or e-ink tek and book binding in a way that would allow you to have books who's content is driven by geo-location data. (hopefully that knowledge will be shared in the form of opensource hardware) Think of the fun we could have with that. Even with out such craziness, there are still some like myself and others who posted earlier, that sill enjoy the holding the treasure of a first printing of a classic in our hands. Wither or not books remain mainstream is irrelevant. bound paper is as a medium of expression is here to stay.

[lolafrancis]

As long as stories continue and information remains, I'm okay. On a different note, it is reported that the prevalence of ebooks has increased the reading habits of Americans, especially those under 20.

Great question!

Lola

[thomaswilson]

But the choice between e-books and printed books is definitely different. Print books do not have to go away for e-books to flourish, and e-books don't have to be the only choice. I just want to say Printed books are for folks who really like printed books. Digital books are for those who love digital books. I dont think any one will be disappeared.

[Jo Ledamun]

I think fewer paper books will be published in the future, for numerous reasons:

Popularity of electronic reading devices & access to the Internet.
Environmental factors - footprints & deforestation
Accessibility - fewer bookshops on the high street & library's in local communities
Lifestyle - minimalist living in the home & whilst traveling.
Fixed print size of text & font choice - which can be difficult to read sometimes.

The majority of books I buy & read are iBooks. I prefer them to paper books as they are more convenient to read & to store.

[Sieron1]

When It comes to ebooks, with a bit of research you might find ebook sites where you can borrow them free. But when it comes to books to borrow them requires travel to a library. Not to mention the physical storage space required with books. So its no wonder that people are turning to ebooks. However I do not believe books will become absolute. Even if you have hundred ebooks, there is nothing like the satisfaction you feel when you add a single favorite book to your collection. The feeling of crisp new pages and the smell of fresh print... ahhhh...nothing beats it. So I believe books wont disappear entirely, they will become a collectors' item.

[lambrinigirl999]

I feel that books may well become a collectors item, times are changing and the ereaders are doing to books what the text messaging service has done to the art of conversation, slowly killing it.

[cjoybishop1]

This justifiable worry went through my mind when individual laptop computers were first introduced to the school district where I was teaching. Textbooks, novels, etc. available on computer became topic for debate. The only clear answers I could come up with for myself was in looking introspectively; how will it affect me personally?

As an educator, my career would be affected as online schooling became a reality- and even then we saw it coming. As a parent, more choice and opportunity for my children. As a lover of books- here I faltered. I love the feel of a book in my hands. I own hundreds of paper books. I did know that that would never change. Still, I could recognize the ability to expand availability of books and economic benefits for authors and readers alike. The ability to save space and time were perks also. I warmed to the possibility of expanding my collection of out of print books, and the ability to read MORE than I could normally afford to with new works, rather than only re-reading what I have.

So, ultimately I embraced the inevitability and moved on. I love both options and do not fear the end of the printed word or the end of authors. Piracy of work is a separate issue that must be stopped, as with any crime, because the truth is, digital media is here to stay as long as we have power to charge the computers. Authors wrote before the printing press. It is as much a passion and need as it is a way to make money. The way to do both will prevail until such a time may force us back to the limitations of that printing press.

[Loveabull]

I do not want to live long enough for print books to become nostalgia...truly I don't

[hmschenk212]

I don't think books could ever disappear. There are too many people who are dedicated to books and authors will never stop writing.

[Zannie]

I don't think books will disappear. Not for a long time yet anyway. Ebooks are not overly popular in my country and the ability to buy ebooks is mainly from another country.

With the Carbon Tax and electricity prices soaring people are trying to find ways to cut down their expenses. Books are fairly cheap and easier to share. It would be like the cinemas and dvd's.Both ccan coexist together. Or at least I hope so

[Loveabull]

Unfortunately you can't stop progress. It's like writing letters, how many stationary stores do you see anymore? For those of you under thirty...back in the old days you would write notes in cards or on paper with a pen or pencil and then maybe put it in a fancy envelope and put it in the mailbox. Think how quaint that sounds now, like home milk delivery ya know? Push me on the ice floe now, I surrender

[Zannie]

I suppose if we want real books we should go out to buy buy them. They will have to print to meet the demand

[29Dillan20]

I think everyday that passes, and every e-reader sold brings us closer to the day where books will be very rare. I have to admit, I love my Kindle DX, but, I also have many great memories of opening a book on a rainy day... the smell of the paper, the excitement of the story, the cup of coffee near by. I will always love real books, but the times are a changing.

[Misaela]

Where I live, bookstores are starting to disappear. But, those bookstores that keep on going, they have an amazing selection of used books, and I love that!