Future of the Printed Book in the Digital Age (Essay Sample)

THE FUTURE OF PRINTED BOOKS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
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Date  Printed books have always been associated with wisdom and intelligence. However, the emergence and prevalence of computers, smart phones and e-readers in the modern age presents a major challenge to the future of printed books. Some academic libraries are now filled with books that are no longer used as the information contained in such books is equally accessible on digital media. Copes and Phillips note that the circulation of print collection in modern academic libraries is constantly on decline. This paper evaluates both sides of the argument regarding the future of printed books and takes the position that printed books are likely to be rendered obsolete in the near future.
Rathbone of the University of Virginia Magazine argues that the printed book will always remain relevant even as digital media takes over. The print paper will probably never completely disappear today or in the future, as it has been around since the biblical times. In fact, the reliance of e-readers and other forms of digital media on the internet tends to limit access to information in cases where technology fails.
However, the tide of digital media is currently replacing print media at an alarming rate. For instance, most libraries- both academic and public- are digitising most of their print material. The likelihood of books being replaced entirely by digital media can be likened to how the modern paper replaced wax tablets several centuries ago. From this perspective, it is easy to acknowledge that while the book has been the most stable and long standing media for several centuries, the rate at which technology is evolving today and the fact that the current generation identifies itself with digital media as is the case with social media implies that the book might easily be completely replaced in the near future.
In addition, the gains associated with digital media poses the greatest challenge to print media. Digital media is people-friendly and easy to use. The iPad and smart phone for example makes it simple for the user to mark up pages, bookmark and easily flip to favourite passages and chapters. The fact that digital media is more portable than the print media, and that they are more economical in terms of the cost-effectiveness of developing a website than printing a book, further tilts the balance away from print media. Moreover unlike books, digital media can be easily updated.
Another modern aspect in this argument is the environmental friendliness of digital media as compared to print media- trees are the raw materials for books thus the exploitation and depletion of trees contributes to environmental degradation. For this reason, governments and other environmental conscious authorities all over the world are likely to back digital media and discourage the exploitation of trees in future. Another major issue associated with printed books is the huge space they occupy. It is becoming increasingly difficult to store print materials thus many organisations are discouraging the purchase of more print media and are instead reverting to digital media. After all, the same information that is found in books can be placed online.
As pointed out in this paper, there will always be the need for a book. However, the current and future generation is hostile to the book as they have embraced technology and such concepts as environmental friendliness h...