A book is a secret that takes effort to share. It is both the work and the reward, and that's why I enjoy it. Not only to interact and to imagine, but when I'm done to be able to say "I did this, I finished this. Here's the proof."
I agree with Tom Piazza when he says that a computer screen neutralizes information. It's easier than falling asleep to put your ideas out on Facebook, Twitter, or a blog. For instance, this blog only took about 5 minutes to set up, and now I can share my feelings with anyone in the world. It's not a large accomplishment. But if my ideas were good enough to be published outside of cyberspace and a physical representation of my work was mass produced, that might be the ultimate form of validation. Although electronic books have still been just as painstakingly worked on as any physical version, it is their place on the screen alongside cat videos and inane tweets about the weather that cheapens the reading experience.
The novel-- the paper, breathing, "actually dying" novel-- is the vessel taken seriously.
And it encompasses the life of a story better than any other medium. Can you make margin notes on an oration? Does rereading a story again and again on your Kindle wear down the spine? Books are the things we make love to before we know what love is, and I want proof, evidence more than some electromagnetic waves in the air, that I have loved.
It doesn't matter how you read a book. Whether its next to cat videos or whatever it's still a book. And to be honest, if I saw a book there I'd think its my lucky day and start reading it, completely ignoring the video and the web address and the dimming lights, even the time. When my alarm rang that next morning my eyes would be blurry and I'd be angry at myself but i would've enjoyed the experience. Love is not just the notes in the margins (which i refuse to do because i feel like it scars the book) love is the feeling you get while reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree that reading an actual book feels more rewarding but I also think reading a story on an ebook or actual book is the same. It is the same story and although you don't feel the crisp pages or the worn down spine, I still think reading a book on either one is about the same thing.
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