Do Printed Works Have a Future - Essay Example

 Do Printed Works Have a Future? Introduction In the current age of computer and online technology, most books and printed words seem to be losing their place. Most books now have online equivalents which do not require readers to buy hard copies of books or to browse through libraries to access the same. Magazines, journals, and even newspapers have also been known to lose subscribers because most of the news or articles can now be read online. However, some writers and interest groups are quick to point out that these printed works have not really become obsolete; in fact they have now managed to reach a bigger audience. With the above points presented, this paper shall now discuss the future of writing and the future of the book in the current information society. It shall consider the query: Do printed works have a future? This paper is being undertaken in order to establish a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the subject matter and of books and printed works. Discussion With the advent of online technology, most printed works have found a different avenue for distribution. Through the internet, customers can now access books online, read them, or read their summaries, make their selection, and then pay for their book online. Afterwards, the book may be delivered as a hard copy via the mail or they may be available for download onto the customer’s computer (Yang, 2009, p. 90). The possibility of cross-reference is also greater through these internet shops with the choices for customers also made available through other suggested books (Yang, 2009, p. 90). In this case, the internet has made the process of accessing books (physical copies or downloaded) easier and faster. But how has it impacted on the printed works themselves? In the 15th century, printed works started to replace handwritten texts; and these printed works soon led to the massive distribution of books. It was a revolutionary time for many scholars and revolutionary thinkers who were struggling to gain out of the control of the Church (Bolter, 2002, p. 1). With the introduction of printing presses at this time, many authors and scholars were able to benefit from such advancement. These scholars saw a major benefit in having their works available to as many people as possible. The handwritten text used in books and other publications soon became obsolete. This same trend seems to be apparent in the past decade or so through internet capability. In the 1980s when the internet and the World Wide Web was gradually gaining popular usage, the worry about the future of printed works was not given much concern; however, as the past years has brought on major advancements which have replaced printed works, the concern has become greater (Bolter, 2002, p. 2). As print is still an indispensable part of learning and of printing books and other literary works, it no longer seems indispensable. In other words, it no longer seems like a medium we cannot do without and if the presses would stop printing, stories and more importantly, knowledge, would still be transmitted to the readers (Bolter, 2002, p. 2). In effect, “electronic technology provides a range of new possibilities, whereas the possibilities of print seem to have been played out. As we look up from the computer keyboard to the books on the shelves, we may be tempted to ask whether “this will destroy that?” (Bolter, 2002, pp. 2-3). An answer to this question can hardly be provided at present, but the fact that we do raise the question speaks much of the peril that the printed word is currently in. Opinions on the matter are divided with some individuals pointing out that the media upon which the past is written is still very much based on printed works – works which cannot be transformed easily to the online format without their very essence and substance being somehow lost or minimized (Bolter, 2002, p. 3). Others are also firm in pointing out that the future of printed works is the one which really matters, and the future spells more ebooks and online formats for the written word. Various authors have been the first to protest the notion which some individuals have expressed about the “death of books (Kindersley, 2007).” These authors emphasize that books are not “dead” because in the most practical context, in order to avail of online or digital copies of books, one needs a computer or an ebook reader. Most developed nations can easily access and avail of computers and ebook readers, however, it would take many years for the developing nations to arm their residents with these gadgets. In the meantime, books and other printed works shall be the primary source of information and of entertainment for most people around the globe (Weaver, 2008). Another important fact to consider is that the book is still the primary reading device. It is convenient to hold and easy to read. Our body, especially our eyes, have been accustomed to reading these books. The computers and ebook readers are not as convenient and as easy to use as the printed works. These computers, no matter how small they make them are not something one can cuddle with on the bed or bring to the beach for hours at a time (Weaver, 2008). Computers and ebook readers are also not conducive for prolonged reading because they cause eye strain (Xia and Hubbard, 2000, p. 4). These computers or ebooks can hardly serve the more leisurely purposes which man has attributed to printed books. And for which reason, discarding the current importance and place of printed books would not be proper. Weaver (2008) also points out that printed books still have an aesthetic importance over and above the digital books and works. This same concept applies to various paintings and artworks (Benjamin, 1999, p. 211). The hard and physical copies of books, some of them with their leather bindings, are elements which form part of the aesthetic experience of reading and learning. For all the digital designs and graphics which ebooks and audio books can provide, these cannot match the aesthetic experience and intricacies which many readers look for in their reading experience (Weaver, 2008). Once again, these are practical aspects of printed books which cannot be replicated by digital copies. For this reason, and many others, the printed works and books are a media which will be kept alive by the consumers themselves. The fact that ebooks do not take up much space is a major advantage for these books. In recent years, the birth of the internet has practically obliterated Encyclopaedias from bookshelves (Grossman and Hancock, 2009, p. 4). Digital copies of these books abound online and do not have to be purchased by individuals wanting to gain knowledge or general information. Along with dictionaries, encyclopaedias have limited printing opportunities. In fact, some publishers have announced that they are no longer printing dictionaries or encyclopaedias (Jamieson, 2010). But this does not mean that the information contained in such books will no longer be available to the public. On the contrary, they are and will be very much available to the public at a lesser cost and in a more convenient manner. The convenience of access to information found in encyclopaedias, dictionaries, and other books have been made faster and easier through the search engines of the internet. Google and Yahoo search engines have made it possible to access information in a manner of seconds without the tedious process of having to look for a book, search the index of such book and then search for its page (Baksik, 2006, 400). Wikipedia is also a free and all access link to information. Many students and individuals seeking information can easily search this database. Free digital books have also impacted significantly on printed works because they have made these books accessible to almost everyone at practically minimal cost. Self-published books have increased in the past several years. Limited new title publications have also managed to reduce the market for new writers while exacerbating the issue on the decreasing sales of books. Many individuals involved in the publishing world have opted to leave the business because they have been witness to the limited innovations on the part of publishers (Rich, 2009). These publishers are continuing and would likely continue to suffer if they fail to consider more innovative ways to conduct their business. It is important to note that the business of books and other printed works are currently undergoing a major transformation. Some publishers are now more eager to redesign their ways of doing business because they recognize the fact that digital publishing is the future of publishing (Rich, 2006). As an offshoot of this trend, new writers who actually never previously had the chance to be published, are finding new opportunities in this digital world to be noticed; to put out their work to be read and judged, not only the publishers or other authors, but also, by the general public (Simmons, 2010). The important consideration for most published works has always been their content. Well-written books which entertain and enlighten can entice most people – regardless of the author’s lack of celebrity status or of his credibility as an author. Many publishing companies have taken up the trend of publishing celebrity books while ignoring the quality of the work itself. “There is no plausible reason why a TV star should receive a seven figure advance for a single title when that money could have been invested in several potential bestselling authors who, up to this point, are unpublished and unknown” (Simmons, 2010). Consequently, companies have now considered the publication of works based on quality content. It goes without saying that the future of the printed word is very much based on making the most out of every medium available to the general public. Google is one of the online technologies which have come under fire for scanning books and making them available online (Mills, 2005). Many publishers and authors have sued them for these actions. However, moves to settle and compromise on this issue have been reached by Google and publishers. This issue has not been fully settled, however, the scanning has not totally been stopped by Google. Many internet archives are also conducting this same process in an attempt to make the written works available via the internet and to ensure that these books, especially the older prints would be preserved (The Economist, 2007). Various questions have been triggered by the actions of Google. These questions mostly return to the future trend for the use of books and printed works. People seem to be making the connection to the effect of the Apple iPods to the CD players and what the ebooks may also do to the books and printed works (The Economist, 2007). Many still insist that the comparison is not exactly the same and the overall impact may not produce the same results. The demographic and the process is not also the same with the transfer process not similar to each other. Nevertheless, the digitized copies that Google is publishing online are impacting greatly on the future of printed works. Books that people do not usually read in its entirety and which also need frequent updating like encyclopaedias, dictionaries, textbooks, and cookbooks, and even telephone directories are likely to be found and made available online and eventually, stop being books (The Economist, 2007). For the non-fiction genre, authors would now be more challenged to improve their craft and ensure that their books would be read beyond the internet summaries. They would benefit from the digitisation because they can contain incoming and outgoing hyperlinks. Through these hyperlinks, readers can easily expand their information and can be directed towards other books and resources they can use for their information search (Darnton, 2009, p. 76). Through these hyperlinks, the reader may be led to other titles and books which he can try to access online or through libraries. In the process, it opens up possibilities for the access of information – possibilities which have not been possible with the use of printed works alone. For fictional works, the internet has also been infiltrated by online copies and versions of these books. Moreover, fictional stories or “novellas,” and fantasy type genres have been published online – negating the need for books and publishers (The Economist, 2007). Most fictional stories however, still find the best format in books. Publishers and readers know that the paper-bound novel is still the preferred format to read their stories. Short stories and poems find a convenient home in the online and digitized format. But the longer novels would not likely be pushed aside by the digitized access to shorter novels or genres. Readers also want the paper version of books because the digital world is exposing what they truly are. These books are not simple vehicles for ideas; they are not simple artefacts, but they are also “souvenirs of what people feel” when they read something; for which reason, people will continue to buy these books (The Economist, 2007). In considering the art of writing and reading itself, there is a certain danger and peril associated with these habits and practices. Studies and surveys currently suggest that reading is currently not as popular as it once was 20 to 30 years ago. These studies point out that less than one-third of 13 year olds are daily readers, the percentage of 17 year olds who read nothing for pleasure doubled over the past 20 years, and about 40 million Americans are considered to be at the lowest literacy level (Tucker, 2010). In this current age of video games, television, YouTube, and the internet, the current crop of young readers have veered away from the libraries and bookstores. But more than the reduced use of the printed media in the learning and entertainment process, the current information age has put in danger the written word itself. The written word and writing in general seems to have taken a step back with the introduction of short messaging services or “texting.” Even with millions of dollars spent to educate children how to read and write, the literacy levels of these children are still declining. People are also spending less time on books, but the amount of data produced by civilization is increasing (Carr, 2010). What does all this mean for the future of the written text and of literacy? An article by Nicholas Carr entitled, “Is Google Making us Stupid?” is one of the articles which highlighted important concerns in the current online and “texting world.” Once again, people are quick to discount the fact that the current digitized world is impacting negatively on people’s literacy. In fact, many people claim that the current age of information technology is making people technologically competent (Tucker, 2010). Authors also emphasize that the written word is actually flourishing in the current information era. Through the internet, millions of scholars have now managed to connect with each other and work with each other more effectively (Tucker, 2010). People have also become more involved with each other – they are listening and debating ideas and options with each other. In the process, they are gaining more information from each other and from the internet. The language of these scholars is resonant and is both structurally and functionally accurate. However in reviewing the language of the younger generation through their blogs, MySpace or Facebook pages or online conversations, their language leaves much to be desired (Tucker, 2010). Structurally and substantially they sometimes epitomize sub-literacy. In other words, they hardly share any commonality with traditionally published and edited printed materials (Wilkins, 2010). These types of “writing” are feared to endanger the literary development of learners and potential writers. For those who seem to be pushing for the continued use of computers and digitized technology as a replacement for literary culture, they are quick to point out that people owe it to technology to allow these new devices and systems to replace the traditional printed works. This comment from top technologists seems to indicate the little regard they have for the traditional education system and literary culture (Tucker, 2010). In the coming years, those who place much emphasis and importance on the traditional text would find themselves having a hard time defending the traditions against the technology-oriented trends among the young generation of learners. And many of them may lose this battle or debate. However, traditionalists are also quick to point out that it is up to the readers and learners to insist that the replacement for traditional literary culture would not be less authentic or superior (Tucker, 2010). In other words, “we owe it to posterity to demand proof that people’s communications will be more intelligent, persuasive, and constructive when they occur over digital media, and proof that digital media, and proof that illiteracy, even in an age of great technological capability, will improve people’s lives” (Tucker, 2010). The evolutionary trends in the literary world are however rife with possibilities. The literary world may yet have a less imperilled future with some studies indicating that the 18-20 year age group are leading the way towards defying trends of subliteracy. This implies that the possibility of totally losing the printed works in the future may not be totally dominant. It may yet be possible to preserve a semblance of the literary culture. Conclusion The above discussion sets forth that although the future of printed works and of writing is in danger, it is not likely to totally disappear as a literary medium and source of information. Printed works still have a future in the current digitized and technological savvy world. The use of printed works has been greatly reduced by online technology and options. Their patronage from readers has been reduced and many publishers and retailers have opted for the option of decreasing the amount of materials they print. Nevertheless, the use of these works is still very much in the future because there are inherent features in the printed works which readers and authors still look for and are still willing to pay money to read. It is however inevitable that the spread of knowledge and information is not anymore focused on the printed work media. Their contents can be published and accessed also by the general public through the internet. This is generally a favourable option for many readers and for learners because it makes knowledge more accessible. The current age of information technology has brought on various advantages and disadvantages for literary works. These advantages and disadvantages help polarize the literary culture, making it very much an indispensable part of information technology. Reference Baksik, C. (2006) Fair Use or Exploitation? The Google Book Search Controversy, Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore, viewed 08 January 2011 from https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/award_articles/6.4baksik.pdf Benjamin, Walter ([1935] 1999), The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, in Benjamin, Walter (1999), Illuminations, London: Pimlico, pp. 211-44 Bolter, J. (2001), Writing Space: Computers, Hypertext and the Remediation of Print, London: Routledge Carr, N. 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