Saturday thoughts – disadvantage of e-books

The subject might not feel like having much to do with photography. So bear with me.

You probably noticed a number of e-book reviews on this blog. I love reading. To be honest, I probably love reading even more than taking pictures. I buy almost every e-book available on subject of photography and consume it on spot.

The introduction of the years ago e-books allowed me the instant download. I could read them on my computer. Not very convenient. Then- on the iPhone- small screen, but I could already move out of my desk into living room sofa. And then came the iPad. It was the end of the paper.. well, almost anything, for me. I stopped printing papers to read for work. I moved all my magazine subscriptions into virtual world of Zinio. I started buying some “real books” as electronic versions. I stopped borrowing the paper books from library- I signed up for a number of electronic services. And on top of it all- more and more e-books are landing in my iBooks library.

I thought there is no way back for me printed media. I saw no advantage. The portability, accessibility, price of electronic was unbeatable.

Until one thing hit me today. None of the e-books, from Craft & Vision or any other site, can I get ever from the local library for free. Sometimes, you don’t want to pay the price, even of $5. You want to read the book, return it, and feel no need to ever go back. I found the huge disadvantage in what I thought is the perfect new reality. If the e-book ever replace the hard copies, and more and more people will go into self-publishing, the availability of the written knowledge will decrease. To those who will afford. Even the small, but still the price.

How about you? Are you embracing the new electronic world? Do you enjoy or despise it? Why?

Karen says:

February 5, 2012 at 12:21 pm

I finally caved in this holiday season and purchased a Nook Tablet. I like the feel and heft of a real book in my hands. However, the Nook allowed me the convenience of adjusting the back-lighting, font and point size. This makes reading physically more comfortable, and I can read more without too much eyestrain. However, your thoughts struck a chord with me. I have often thought of the impermanence of all things digital. If it were not for the relative permanence of stone, painted prehistoric cave walls, manuscripts, archival photos, etc., much of our world history, culture, art, music, and scientific discovery may not have been available to us.

I have already downloaded several photography eBooks, novels, and freebies from the local library. These books will likely live and eventually crash in my eReader. I regularly cull out physical books and reference materials that will not be re-read and deliver them to Goodwill, Panera, and Half-Price books. In the past month alone, two acquaintances have contacted me and said that they were the happy recipients of my donated books. My point is that digital materials are fragile. Will our digital musings, writings, artworks, and creative endeavors be available to inspire or awaken the curiosity of future generations?

Just thinking…

Izabela says:

February 5, 2012 at 2:22 pm

Great thought, thanks for sharing, Karen. I haven’t even thought of THAT. Sometimes, you borrow a book to a friend. Or, as you said, give those unneeded away. With e-books, you cannot do that, you cannot legally transfer the content to somebody else. Another point for hard copies.
Although I do not share your concern abut preserving our creations- I believe in basis of Internet being dispersed, impossible to control or destroy resources. It will be there.