http://www.courant.com/business/technology/chi-barnes-noble-sees-fast-growth-with-nook-will-expand-to-9-new-countries-20121010,0,2997050.story
As this article states, “Barnes
& Noble Inc. expects its digital Nook and college bookstore businesses to
generate combined revenues of $3 billion this year, helped by strong e-books
sales growth, and the bookseller said on Wednesday it plans to expand its
digital bookstore into nine new international markets by June.”
While I hardly object to Barnes
& Noble’s competitive position, I do fault the nation’s hearty approval of
digital reading. Here’s why:
First, consumers must understand
that the trees we spare with the purchase of tablets and e-readers do not
negate the other forms of waste associated with these devices. We don’t have to plug paperbacks into outlets. We power fewer machines when we produce a biography
than when we assemble a Nook. And let’s
not forget that, recycling aside, a pamphlet or encyclopedia biodegrades
swiftly and unremarkably while a plastic and metal tablet containing hazardous innards does
not.
Second, e-books and e-textbooks
cost as much as their paper counterparts.
When we purchase the digital versions, we encourage these contemptible pricing
practices.
Third, a
question: Will it be okay with you if
your eventual child grows up without ever opening, flicking through, cursing,
highlighting, doggy-earring, starring, tucking notes into, stroking, and even sniffing
a physical book? At this thought, Faulkner
would renounce us, Melville would sail away, and Shakespeare would pen another
play simply to cast us as fools.
Somehow, this
movement away from paper and toward digital mediums represents a grander
disownment of history, of intense study, and of worthwhile knowledge.
We keep making things "easier." Remind me...why do things need to be easier?
No comments:
Post a Comment