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Fiction

In reply to the discussion: E-reading isn’t reading....... [View all]
 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
34. Smiley face here.
Wed Dec 19, 2012, 12:58 AM
Dec 2012

As I look back over this thread, I realize that my personal problem with ereaders is twofold. One, that I am very concerned that real books will disappear because of things like Amazon, who push their ereader on their front page in a way that makes a person feel as though that's the only possible way to read books. The other is a deeper concern that the format will change, and we'll all have to buy new ereaders to continue reading. It's like how we first bought vinyl records (I know, some of you have no clue what they are) and then we bought 8-tracks or cassette tapes, and then we bought CD's. Now, a lot of music is only available in a computer download. What a shame for some of us.

If books only exist in an electronic format, how in credibly easy will it be to erase a book? For years now we've had movies that portray the paranoid fantasy that someone's very existence can be erased. I always scoff at those, but if we move to a completely digital world, those fantasies could well become reality.

Here's another issue I have not seen discussed here: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/e-reader-privacy-law-enforcement-fbi

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

E-reading isn’t reading....... [View all] Little Star Nov 2012 OP
I much prefer reading on my kindle than reading a real book. Skinner Nov 2012 #1
In my life there is room for both.... Little Star Nov 2012 #2
Well, I've been reading books for over 60 years, so of course... TreasonousBastard Nov 2012 #3
This message was self-deleted by its author antiquie Nov 2012 #4
Reading has fuck all to do with your fingers. dmallind Nov 2012 #5
I strongly disagree mythology Dec 2012 #40
Tortured analogy at best dmallind Jan 2013 #44
I like both Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2012 #6
And then there's this: print vs. eBooks for kids.. Little Star Nov 2012 #7
I didn't read the whole piece jp11 Nov 2012 #8
One of the things I like a great deal about traditional books is that SheilaT Nov 2012 #9
I have to admit that I have not tried e-reading, Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #10
Me neither & me too.... fadedrose Nov 2012 #12
Yes. One huge drawback to the ereaders is that SheilaT Nov 2012 #20
I had never thought of formatting changes, Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #21
You should be thinking about it. SheilaT Nov 2012 #22
I'll give you long term power failure getting old in mke Nov 2012 #23
Thank you for that information. SheilaT Nov 2012 #24
DRM = Digital Rights Management getting old in mke Nov 2012 #25
You know, it might be amusing to get library books signed. SheilaT Nov 2012 #26
WOW! Yes! getting old in mke Nov 2012 #27
Of course you can. An e-book is just a computer file. dmallind Jan 2013 #45
I do about 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 getting old in mke Nov 2012 #11
Oh, I forgot about audio books.... Little Star Nov 2012 #13
I am far more comfortable reading my Kindle than a regular book. Lex Nov 2012 #14
Why would we have to choose? CaliforniaHiker Nov 2012 #15
Here's something else to consider. SheilaT Nov 2012 #16
However you were able to get to the digitized version of the Life magazines Lex Nov 2012 #28
Admittedly, I wasn't looking that hard. SheilaT Nov 2012 #29
Does e-reading serve any real purpose? Jim__ Nov 2012 #17
I love books - I love how they feel, making a crease in their spines, closeupready Nov 2012 #18
I love my NOOK Mz Pip Nov 2012 #19
I like the Kindle for stuff not available in print pscot Nov 2012 #30
I'm in my 40's, and I love my Nook DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2012 #31
Another problem with an ereader is going SheilaT Dec 2012 #32
Or quickly turning pages to see if a specific character will appear again.. fadedrose Dec 2012 #33
Smiley face here. SheilaT Dec 2012 #34
Thanks for the link to the MJ article. Loss of privacy should enter into the conversation. Little Star Dec 2012 #35
Interesting article getting old in mke Dec 2012 #36
The claim is made that our government is continually SheilaT Dec 2012 #37
David Brin on Transparency getting old in mke Dec 2012 #38
Will e-readers eventually have a negative effect on public libraries? Little Star Dec 2012 #39
I prefer reading a book Xyzse Dec 2012 #41
I don't have an e-reader, but whenever i am reading SheilaT Jan 2013 #42
I can understand that Xyzse Jan 2013 #43
After going through 4 surgeries on my left eye during 2012, you can believe how japple Jan 2013 #46
To Each Their Own. However...... Paladin Jan 2013 #47
Has anyone read a e-book with audio/video capability?... Little Star Jan 2013 #48
There have been children's books from B&N getting old in mke Jan 2013 #49
I discovered yesterday the Amazon Kindle app for smart phones. closeupready Jan 2013 #50
lol! I want to marry the internet because everyday I learn something new on these tubes. n/t Little Star Jan 2013 #51
I have a number of readers on my devices getting old in mke Jan 2013 #52
That's why I always have a book or two with me. SheilaT Jan 2013 #54
Well, my 8-tracks weren't computer files... getting old in mke Jan 2013 #55
There are some downsides to ereaders that are totally overlooked. SheilaT Jan 2013 #56
Nope, not a downside. getting old in mke Jan 2013 #57
I love my e-readers gollygee Jan 2013 #53
There's plenty of room for both. LWolf Jan 2013 #58
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