Books will never be displaced by e-alternatives. I am pretty convinced of it. Printed books may transition from a mainstream category to a collector's item. But it won't fade away.
Robert McCrum mentions India in the linked article
In India, Macmillan recently launched a scheme with operator Airtel that enables subscribers to download definitions of English words to their mobiles for a fraction of a rupee each. How long will it be before the OED promotes a similar scheme to mobile users in Britain?
I am no advocate of the e-alternatives, but I'am sure one day we will succumb to it.
Its the matter that matters not the medium.
Posted by
Karthik |
4:18 AM, January 17, 2006
@Karthik: It is not a matter of not succumbing. It is more a matter of the changing roles of each medium. Computers were supposed to be the death knell of the print medium. Likewise, when television became popular, it was touted to spell the ruin of books. No such thing happened. On the contrary, book sales boomed and the new medium was tapped to make the earlier one far more popular.
Of course, percentages will vary and it is likely that the new medium may overtake the old as the mainsteam choice. However, I don't think books will die out. Not when you have millions who worship the touch and feel of books as much as the content they carry.
Posted by
Echo/Lavanya |
9:37 AM, January 17, 2006
I agree with your say that Books can never be displaced by e-alternatives. But e-greetings and mobile messaging has brought the sale of greeting cards down.
Gone are the days where I used to got lot of cards from my friends and relatives during the festival season, especially during the Deepavalli, Pongal and New Year.
Now its all through SMS and email.
I had been to this shop Hall Mark in US to get anniversary cards. The range of cards available is quite amazing. The cards are attractive and quite funny to read.
In fact I had spent a lot of time browsing the cards. Most people are not aware of the range of cards available. Perhaps intense marketing and ads can increase their sale.
Posted by
AMK |
4:30 PM, January 17, 2006
@amk: The old order usually yields place to the new. What I was trying to say was, printed books will not disappear. They may move from being staple diet to a delicacy.
Posted by
Echo/Lavanya |
1:32 PM, January 20, 2006