On Print and Ebooks

The impact of the mechanization of bookmaking in 15^th century Europe can be comparable to the impact of digital media and distribution of books and print today.

Prior to the 15^th century, books were scarce as bookmaking was a very laborious and time consuming process. Using mechanical means to produce books enabled a much larger segment of the population to enjoy literature and created an overabundance of books. Unfortunately, the surplus of books caused scribes fearing for their livelihoods. It’s understandable that the scribes would despise this technology. Some even attempted to forbid printing in their respected towns. Sadly for the scribes, manuscript production eventually declined in favor of print.

Fast forward to the 21^st century where modern publishers are facing a thorny issue that print may one day go the way of the dinosaurs. Books on paper are the old fashioned way of reading as technology has created the ability to read books on digital media. Ebooks can now be purchased in virtual bookstores and later be read on the Ipad, Kindle, computer, or cell phone. Ebook checkouts are rising in numbers at libraries even.  For bibliophiles with limited space, digitally storing ebooks may be the way to go.

Just as the printed book caused an overabundance of books, the Internet and digital means has opened the floodgates for authors and readers. The ease of creating content has lead to the rise of self published authors, and the Internet allows for a much wider audience than a bookstore would. Authors can also do away with the middlemen: publishers and editors. Authors can connect with their audience and get fan feedback instantly.

Yet, like the advent of printed books, not everyone is happy with ebooks or digital media.

The 15^th century complaints of that the aesthetics of the printed book was inferior to its calligraphic counterpart is quite similar to readers complaining about reading books on screen vs. paper. Many prefer print because it is more comfortable or more aesthetically pleasing to be able to hold an actual book in hand.

Publishers themselves have been slow to jump on the digital bandwagon. Producing ebooks cost less than their print counterparts. Yet monetizing profit on digital books is demanding for innovation in the publishing industry and print is a model that has worked for centuries.

Protecting digital rights is another tricky issue as pirating and unwanted distribution is a major concern for publishers. Yet digital rights management or DRM on ebooks is a great annoyance for consumers. Furthermore, is there actual ownership of the digital book, when the book can be deleted without the buyer’s consent or knowledge, as shown with Amazon removing George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm from users’ Kindle?

As the printed books have shown us, technology changes by leaps and bounds, either one learn to adapt or be put to extinction. One day it may be that new generations who grow up on ebooks may find digital books more comfortable than printed books. Whichever the future may hold, as it was shown in the 15^th century printed books have revolutionized literacy and communication, and ebooks will likely do the same in the modern world.


References:

Bissram, Veena. "Ebooks or Printed Books: Which Are Better for You?." Mashable.com. 20 2011: n. page. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://mashable.com/2011/10/20/reading-ebook-versus-print/>.

Epstein, Jason. "How Books Will Survive Amazon." New York Books 26 April 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2012/apr/26/how-books-will-survive-amazon/>.

Meggs, Philip B., and Alston W. Purvis. Meggs' History of Graphic Design. 5th. New Jersey: John Wiley , 2012. 528. eBook.

Stone, Brad. "Amazon Erases Orwell Books From Kindle." New York Times 17 July 2009. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18amazon.html?_r=0>.