Dare to imagine a future without printed copies of books, real books. The usage of e-books have been exponentially increasing with printed books competing for a mere coexisting place in society; this threat terrifies me. As a writer and linguist-in-training, I cherish and revere the authenticity of a physical model of a text, but more and more paperbacks are being replaced by their electronic duplicates. The power of technology can be dangerous.
Unfortunately, various bookstores are going out of business progressively—Barnes & Nobles included! There are countless recreational pastimes (e.g. sports, movie outings, shopping trips, etc.), yet recreational knowledge does not seem to be included. Libraries and librarians are seldom used or acknowledged. Without the tangibility of books, bookshelves are collecting dust and students are inducing less productivity (because let’s face it, electronic copies provide students with internet access; and where there’s the Internet, there are plenty of temptations and distractions).
Many college students, however, are unconsciously resurrecting the printed book. Many find reading printed versions of textbooks and other academic works easier and more effective than electronic versions. WE CAN COMMENCE THE REVIVAL OF THE PRINT. I cannot imagine a future—a world—without books!