Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 14th June 2011 | 12 comments
I hear a lot of talk about the death of books, the end of reading and such. And it's true that how we consume words is changing, both news and entertainment, fiction, non-fiction and business manuals. No-one really knows where the current changes will take us (though I very much doubt that reading as such will die...).
Recently I came across this TED mini-talk (under 5 minutes) demonstrating a fully digital book. Extraordinary stuff. Inspiring talk. Watch it.
Tag: idea
Books are alive ... we need stories, and they will come to us... through any media
Astrid, so true. One of my favourite quotes is from the poet Muriel Rukeyser: 'The world is made of stories, not atoms.'
I may be old fashioned and a bit of a technophobe (I had to get a new phone this week and I am having a hell of a time trying to use it) but I can see the advantages of a digital book. It can be useful when on the train or travelling on holidays or business as you don't need to pack all the heavy books; save the trees etc. However, having said that, I love the feel of a book, how it is pliable and fits around the pillow in bed. I would have sad empty book cases without books; what would I dust; how could I admire the beauty of the hard covers with their gold print on the spine to remind me of the wondrous journeys they had taken me on...... Sorry, guess I'm just a bit of a devil's advocate, with a stronger leaning towards the real thing
Gai, thank you. I have fallen in love with my Kindle, but our relationship started slowly and has had its rocky patches. I find now I love the Kindle for travelling, light fiction and 'read once and then discard' non-fiction. I don't ever want to give up the real thing though - and the smell of a good bookshop is one of my great sensory delights!
Fantastic stuff, Joanna! Many thanks for exposing me to these beaut new ideas! Best regards, P. :)
Pleasure, Paul, nice to think I can return the favour sometimes...
The one major thing I completed (but never got around to editing properly) was tied up with a whole lot of different music. I always thought that it should come with an accompanying CD (like a soundtrack to a film that plays while you see and hear the story play out). Technology finally catches up. Might be worthwhile doing the edit and trying it out. Thanks Joanna.
Phil, sounds like plan...I'd love to see / hear that when it's done!
As Astrid said so succinctly, we need stories. As an enthusiastic book clubber, I'm surprised (and slightly horrified) to hear that books are dead!
I have an iPad, yet find reading on it slightly cumbersome and uncomfortable. Maybe it just needs time and committment. I think it will probably come into it's own over summer, I can fill it with all sorts of light stuff!
I still like the feel and smell of a book, especially old books. 2nd hand book shops make me giddy.
One thing that really impresses me is how the Finnish library system continues to evolve and adapt to the times. I would not be surprised if in the future they have Kindles or similar available for borrowing.
(PS I tried to find Al Gore's e-book to download, no luck so far, has anyone else managed to see it / buy it / download it?)
Heather, thanks for these thoughts. I also find the iPad a not-very-cosy reader, though an OK compromise when travelling. The Kindle is much more user-friendly, I think - and mine had a little light, which is very handy when reading in bed!
There's nothing better than a good old fashioned paper book. The weight, the sensation, the smell. It's true beauty.
betty, thank you for this. Funny how we all comment on the smell of a book or a bookshop - it's the one thing online will never replicate!