The debate on electronic versus paper reading would seem to be a simple, at first glance: do people have a more difficult or an easier time in reading from a screen? But in fact there are a number of related questions about the process of reading--the comprehension and "active engagement," as I put it above, with the text, which are affected by the difference in medium. In particular, these experts seem agreed that there is a tendency to distraction and a dramatically shortened attention span that attends reading from a screen. This is partially an effect of our experience of reading hypertext, on sites like the NY Times or Wikipedia or whatnot, which in knowledge is always produced in small, quickly consumable segments. But a novel or a book of philosophy requires something quite different.
Check it out:
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/does-the-brain-like-e-books/
I would be curious to hear your opinions, particularly since probably most of you have grown up in this digital environment ...
3 comments:
I must admit that I have not read a paper book in quite a number of years, except for when I have to - that is for classes.
It is true that digital media still have some disadvantages to paper, but those will be eliminated as the technology advances. For example writing notes as we read along is no longer a problem with say Kindle (although I've never used one, I saw and read about the feature though), in fact the experience is enhanced even more because those sidenotes can be edited with ease in case something is wrong.
Another advantage would be the saving of space (the real one). With just 1 device one can store like thousands of books, which of the times is impossible to do for most people. Of course you can't carry more than a few physical books at a time so an ebook reader has the upper hand here as well.
However with all that said I can still see problems with digital books. First of all it's harder to focus on the reading, at least from my own experience. Secondly with so many books in one place that can be accessed so easily (with a few clicks basically) we tend to switch books more often, sometimes without a good reason. And finally a real book is just so great, no electronic device can give you the feeling of a brand new, hardcover, limited edition book, not to mention how it looks on the shelf. I still feel super excited every time I visit a bookstore and that should tell you something.
Found it funny that I stopped about ten times to see the ads etc that were on the screen. No such distractions on paper.
Good points. Ngo, I'm totally confused. You love bookstores, but you don't read paper books? Do you read books online? And if so, what? I've only read one novel on my iPhone. It went well and I think I finished it pretty quickly (The Road, by Cormac McCarthy). Yet since then, I must say I haven't been interested in reading another book on the iPhone. Your bibliophilia has nothing on mine.
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