Paper or Plastic? Reading from Screens Versus Paper Text
Is the delivery method of literature important? In other words: do electronic devices such as Kindle, or reading stories on-line, rather than in paper form, have a detrimental effect on the reader or the integrity of literature?
The conclusion I have come to regarding the question is this: The delivery method of literature is not the important factor in reading. It is a personal preference with some enjoying the vast versatility that comes with an electronic device such as Kindle and others preferring the feel and smell of the familiar paper book. Whether reading from screens or paper, it is the act of reading, the comprehension of what is read, and the enjoyment that comes from reading that is important.
1. Electronic reading devices allow for a vast library compactly at the touch of a screen.
With Kindle the reader has access to Amazon’s online library and has the ability to wirelessly download hundreds of titles, virtually anywhere, within seconds. The reader has access to many news publications such as The New York Times as well as foreign publications such as The Irish Times. This allows for amazing versatility in enabling the reader to have many book titles, newspaper articles and blogs available at one time, easily accessible and very portable. Electronic devices require a initial investment of $160.00 to $250.00 and each book title costs about $10.00, an expense that many would not incur when the average cost of a paperback book is much less. However, new hardcover titles would cost more than if downloaded to Kindle. For example, Diana Gabaldon’s newest novel “An Echo in the Bone-A Novel (Outlander)” is available for download to Kindle for $9.99 whereas the hardcover will cost a reader $17.55.
2. Paper texts offer familiar comfort. Manually turning the pages, the smell of a book, and the simplicity that comes from paper books are appealing to some readers. Paper texts require no batteries, they are inexpensive, and provide a permanent, tangible memory. Also, paper texts can be easily annotated whereas electronic texts cannot. While reading a textbook, the student has the opportunity to easily underline, highlight, or make notes in the margin of the text for future reference. For example, while reading Robert Frost’s “Acquainted with the Night”, I was able to make notes in the margin of my textbook regarding my feelings about the poem, thoughts of what Frost was trying to say, and underline certain parts of the sonnet that were important to me. If I had been reading the same poem from an electronic device, that would not have been possible.
3. Both paper & electronic texts deliver the same information. “As long as the text you are obtaining electronically is unabridged, there is no difference in the literature“ (Fritz). The quality or integrity of the literature is not manipulated in any way by electronic delivery. The books, magazines, blogs, and newspaper articles downloaded into an electronic device contain the same information and wording as in print. Beginning readers as well as experienced readers will have the same reading result with either delivery method.
Question for Discussion: What is your preference for reading: Paper or Plastic? Why do you prefer the method you do, and what is your prediction for the future of paper versus electronic text?
Works Cited:
Dillon, A. (1992) "Reading from paper versus screens: a critical review of the empirical literature. Ergonomics", 35(10), 1297-1326.
https://ford.ischool.utexas.edu/bitstream/2081/1156/5/Reading.htm
Fritz, Ronda, Personal Interview, November 2, 2009
Hayles, N Katherine, "Deeper into the Machine: The Future of Electronic Literature"
Saltzman, Joe "Surprise! The Written Word Is Alive and Well - Internet users favor writing as method of communication" http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_2646_127/ai_54098989/
I missed your post a couple of times because I was expecting it to be first - I'm glad I found it! You chose a very interesting topic and I've only vaguely understood electronic reading media. It might seem more appealing if downloading the books didn't cost, or at least not so much. But like you, I put my textbooks to the test and without the ability to highlight and write notes in the margin, I'd be so much less organized. Also, I love it when I want to go back to something and I can kind of remember where to put my finger in the book pages to flip to a spot and start looking. A document on the screen all looks the same to me and I have to repeatedly re-read sentences and paragraphs to get my bearings. Beyond all of that, I tend to lean toward simplicity and avoid things that take batteries and that use electricity if there's a decent alternative. Books are a great alternative, also appealing to more of my senses when I read them. It must be that comfort thing you were talking about!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Margaret! I'm still "on the fence" about the electronic devices, I can see good in both mediums. The fact that once the initial cost, which is substantial, is met you still have to pay for titles is a bit concerning, even though it is less than a hardcover. Maybe storage will be the deciding factor? I live in a very small house and could have a a vast library if I had a Kindle!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that the delivery method doesn't necessarily make a difference when reading literature. Sometimes, however, staring at a screen can be more uncomfortable and harsh on the eyes than looking at the paper pages of a book. It also allows more opportunity for distraction, and can be slightly more difficult to travel with, when you can just stuff a book in your bag and head out the door. I, personally, prefer audio books. They make it easier for me to concentrate, and I find myself being able to spend more time on the story than I would if I was physically reading the story. I can just load it onto my mp3 player, stick my headphones on, and away I go!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments! Do you think audio books put people at a disadvantage because they aren't "seeing" the words? I find sometimes I can hear a word repeatedly, but if I've never seen it in print I don't recongnize it..does that makes sense? I'm wondering about vocabulary building & such with not having actually seen the word...
ReplyDeleteI think electronic will definatly kill paper! Just as TV killed the radio star :) I personally am one who prefers electronic versions of things. Growing up we had a computer in the house and they have always been in classrooms so for me electronic is what is comfortable! I can only imagine how my son will be I dont know if he will know what a library is at the rate things are going with everything online!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Christina. I never even thought about what it will be like for children growing up today-my boys are all teens now, so they grew up with paper books, of course. It will be interesting to see where the electronic word goes. I think in order for paper to become extinct, the price of the electronic versions will have to go way down though.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think that since they don't require batteries or electricity - things plenty of the world's people do not have - the simplicity and versatile nature of books will keep them around forever. I cannot imagine the world without them.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly believe that audio books put some at a disadvantage. We know people have various learning styles, visual being one of them. I think I'm in that group!
I agree with Margaret that books will likely stick around because of their ease of use. I do believe though that electronic forms will grow increasingly popular.
ReplyDeleteA family member bought the Kindle (I had never previously heard of it) and it was pretty fascinating! It certainly gives people almost instant access to a ton of literature, which I think is a great feature to this form of reading.
Personally, I prefer paper versions of reading. I'm relatively tech-savvy, but things like Kindle just seem like rather unnecessary inventions. Part of the joy of reading is curling up on the couch with a good book and turning the pages. I feel like I'm making progress when I turn the pages in a book, I think that clicking electronic buttons would sort of take that experience away.
Thanks for your additional comments, Margaret! I agree with you, Marybeth in that curling up on the couch actually turning pages is a great experience. As I stated in my earlier comments, I'm just not quite ready to give that up..but the thought of instant access to literature is appealing. Of course, I wouldn't be able to afford to buy them all the time, so I guess it wouldn't work out too well anyway! Ugghh-decisions!
ReplyDeleteI love the title. They now have a compromise between paper and plastic. a small hand held device the displays the text on a page sized screen. you push a button and it will turn the page of an e-book you have downloaded or purchased. sooner or later the green movment is going to broach the subject about the use of paper products. It would be nice to have an electronis substitute in place the cam mimic the physical characteristics that add to the mobility of a book. They will never be able to duplicate the ambiance of a dusty old history book that as you read you can almost smell the days gone by. I have a first release copy of the Lords of the Rings that now possess the olifactory age that adds legitimacy to the ancient tone of the book. Close the curtain tight, turn on a lamp, and sit next to the fire with Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and wait for a visit from Gandalf himself. when they give me a plastic device that can do that, then maybe plastic.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the late comment Tonya, but here is is. I really like this topic, I read the article in our week one reading that was on a similar topic. I completely agree with all the perks of having electronic books, e-books, the kindle, even the i-phone. Bu I also have to say that I love just crawling into bed and reading with my wife and there is nothing cozy about electronic devices. I think I will always have a special affinity for the old fashioned paper-back book. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteRob & Danny, thanks for visiting my blog & leaving comments!
ReplyDeleteRob, I completely understand where you're coming from with the olifactory experience from a book, that will never be replaced with plastic for sure!
Danny, I agree that crawling into bed with an electronic book just doesnt have the same sort of warm appeal.
Thanks again!
And how does the Kindle work at a book signing? (Rhetorical question of course)
ReplyDeleteI don't think electronic devices will totally replace books - at least I hope not in my lifetime.
It's great that our modern day inventions offer a variety of ways to be exposed to reading, and I agree that it doesn't always matter what form the text is in, just as long as reading and comprehension are at work.
Hi, Tonya. Thanks for a great discussion! I prefer paper for all the reasons already stated. I'm also a bit of a conspiracy theorist and science fiction reader, so I'm afraid that electronic documents may allow for information take-over if/when the power goes out. I prefer the comfort of owning books that will open every time without electricity and of membership in the public library where books beyond my price range can be accessed. What would happen to us if we lost the ability to access information, particularly history and instructions?
ReplyDeleteI also think there's a difference between reading for information and reading for pleasure. I don't mind seeking information conveniently located on the Internet. I can remember not having access to the Internet, but I can't remember how I used to locate information quickly. Maybe I just called my parents?
With reading for pleasure, I don't enjoy the electronic interface.
I was interested also in the comments regarding audiobooks. I use audiobooks when I travel alone by car, but I don't have the patience for them in other contexts. I seem to need to be doing something physical to make time for them.
Lacking visual absorption of words contributes to spelling problems, so it would be interestsing to move from a print to audio culture. Maybe spelling isn't very important in the grand sceme of things, but in our current print/electronic culture, lack of spelling skills can make people seem not as smart as they are. Homophone errors confusing then/than, they're/their/there, and woman/women arise from lack of visual recognition of words. Nancy
Thanks for your comments Professor Knowles. I have noticed that many more people are having trouble with homophones today than ever before. I didn't realize what contributes to that, but now that you point it out, it makes complete sense! I agree, it does automatically make people seem less smart.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with information gathering versus reading for pleasure, but I never really thought about that point of view either. I don't mind looking on the internet at all, of course I don't mind looking things up in print either, but the internet is much faster and more convenient since I don't have a research library at home!
After all the discussions, I still think I lean towards paper versus plastic...it has been an interesting discussion though.
Sadly, I think that electronic will triumph over paper. Personally, this is because I am a very disorganize person. When I do work, I don't know when or how, but books seem to just fly everywhere and the idea of electronic reading just cuts down on the my already messy work ethics.
ReplyDeleteOne problem posed by this, I know is the dependency on electronic media. Even as of now, more than ever, I am paranoid that my computer would crash on me and that would basically mean a failing grade for all my finals this week. A word of caution when using electronic is to always have a backup or usb handy. You never know when electronic would just crash on you.