and over the last few years, the ipad, kindle, nook, have taken over a new category of digital toys called e-books. for frequent commuters and travelers, these toys are perfect. people on the go. people who don't have time to stop and smell the flowers. whatever happened to enjoying life? appreciating literature? after all, isn't that what books are for? appreciation of literature?
these digital monsters have taken over my appreciation for books. they're intruding in my space. the experience of reading a book on a screen is completely different from picking out a book at a bookstore, patiently waiting in line to purchase it, then anticipating each red light to turn green so i can get home, crack it open, and smell the new pages of the book. that in itself is an experience... the investment of time, money, and other resources that were put into owning the new book. being able to underline, highlight, and write notes in the margins. never mind the gratification received from the rubbing the pages in between my fingers as i read through each page, or getting to the end of a chapter and feeling the thickness of the book grow in my left hand and diminish in my right.
and borders... well we already talked about that yesterday. apple, amazon, b&n, you guys are not only ruining the practicals of life... but also my holidays!
i don't care that your gadget helps me "travel light"-- the whole point of being able to lug around a book on vacation is part of the investment. by making it physically lighter, more convenient to obtain, they are slashing the value of literature. the value of being literate. if it's too convenient, then the motivation to read it diminishes. it is what it is: an electronic toy.
but no thank you, i prefer my physical book over your toy any day. this would not be possible without!
This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.
Read more about the "making of" here. Pretty phenomenal, huh?
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