The Ever Changing World of Reading- Group A

    For my section of The Shallows, I read the sixth chapter titled “The Very Image of a Book.” Earlier in the text, Nicholas Carr discusses how certain innovations, like the book, have changed us and our minds. He then discusses how even newer innovations change the ones he previously mentioned. For the purpose of this chapter, Carr explains how the book and reading have been changed. He brings up points about computers and devices like Amazon’s Kindle to get across just how much reading has been changed and how those inventions have changed our minds. Are these changes good or bad? We’ll find out.
    Carr brings up the positives of sticking to reading books off of the traditional pages rather than on a computer or tablet screen. Some of these positives include never having to worry about losing battery power of a book since it does not require one, words stamped on a page are easier to read than words on a screen, and there are less distractions. He then brings up the positives of reading off of a screen: lower costs of production of books which would result in lower costs of online books, tablet-like devices can hold hundreds of books, and they provide a wireless Internet connection which can allow readers to look up words or phrases of the book that they might not understand. Carr cites The Wall Street Journal’s L. Gordon Crovitz about just how important that final positive of reading from a screen is, “Easy-to-use, networked readers like the Kindle can help return to us our attention spans and extend what makes books great: words and their meaning” (Carr 102).
    Carr states very interesting reasons for each side. In my opinion, the compelling argument belongs to those in favor of reading off of a Kindle-like device based on it being an all-in-one device. “You can read digital newspapers and magazines, scan blogs, perform Google searches, listen to MP3s, and through a specially made browser, surf other Web sites” (Carr 101). Another component that adds into the all-in-one perks of the Kindle is that readers can connect the readings to their social media sites which helps satisfy the feeling of belonging that everybody desires. Being able to share parts of a book or one’s thoughts of a book can also promote books and raise their sales.
    People are always pessimistic when faced with change. Carr states that people did not think the book would survive the rise of the phonograph or the newspaper, but it did. Similarly, in “Is Kindle Burning the Book Industry,” Kaitlin Tambuscio says, “When the iPod was released, there was much controversy over the music industry and how devices such as this, and the ability to download illegally, could kill the music industry and hinder record sales” (Tambuscio). As popular as the iPod got, it did not kill the music industry. Whether it be the music industry or the book industry, it is clear that the people in power of major companies in these industries must adapt to our rapidly growing technological world so they do not get left behind.
    What does everyone think about books transitioning to our computer and tablet screens? For me personally, I have trouble reading off of a screen and can only read texts for a class if I print them out from my computer. However, I do understand and appreciate all of the positives that come from the transition. Do you guys think books on paper will be a thing of the past? Would you be able to only read books from a computer screen?