We are readers

[DanaC]

I still firmly believe their days are numbered.

As it is with all things. Ideas are now rarely transmitted via papyrus or vellum.

[classicman]

and your point?

[Juniper]

I mentioned my mom's death and her collection of books...part of my inheritance from her is 6 paper boxes full of really old books, dating from the 1830's. Some are school books like McGuffey Readers with scribbles in them, names of family members long gone. others are cheap penny-dreadful novels. I love every one of them.

[DanaC]

and your point?

That people have been proclaiming the death of books for a long time. Much as the death of radio has been proclaimed.

My other point is that you said that the 'written word''s days were numbered. I disagree. The written word takes many forms. Paper books are merely one way of transmitting it.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by classicman

The market is there and the forced summer reading programs here are a reason for much of it.

But to back up Dana's point - we don't have that here. There has been a massive resurgence in children reading which the media like to pin on J K Rowling. Rubbish of course - the media only picked up on Harry Potter when The Prisoner of Azkaban knocked Hannibal off the top of the bestseller list in the week it was released. Even without children I'd heard the buzz from my local bookshop when The Chamber of Secrets was released. Although to be fair they knew me as a purchaser of children's books.

Originally Posted by classicman

It is my opinion that the end of the written book, much like the newspaper or even magazine is near.

All I can say is again it must be a cultural difference. I get Heat magazine every week and have done for nine years. It's trashy, but I grew up with magazines. My sister confirms my niece's age group are as into their magazines as we were (not sure what they read - it was Just Sevnteen when I was at school). For intelligent humour I get Private Eye every two weeks.

And 90% of people on the Tube every monring and evening will have a newspaper. I'm not kidding. A book or a newspaper. How else can you hide from the weirdos.

I know you're not anti-reading. I'm just saying perhaps you are sounding the death knell too soon.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

And 90% of people on the Tube every monring and evening will have a newspaper. I'm not kidding. A book or a newspaper. How else can you hide from the weirdos.

And in Japan, porno comic books are regulation subway reading for commuting suit-slaves. I use the smiley because that's me peeping over his shoulder.

[Griff]

I still subscribe to niche magazines like National Geographics, Smithsonian, and Liberty but no news magazines. My daughters are working their way though kid magazines. I think paper print will be with us a long time, but we may change what we use it for.

[DanaC]

I will admit I rarely buy a newspaper. I tend to get the headlines online and the analysis from Newsnight. But then, if you just want a rundown of what's going on, there are plenty of free newspapers. I read the Metro most days during term, because there are copies dotted about the bus.

I do, however, spend far more than is healthy on books.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by DanaC

As it is with all things. Ideas are now rarely transmitted via papyrus or vellum.

I buy vellum to write with! It's actually my favorite. (and now a rarity) I use my typewriters and pens!I still love a lot of paper. I like rice paper, spongey paper, vellum, oh well, you get the idea! I even use large scrolls of typeable butcher paper...(you have the freedom to cut it to the size you want and it is cheaper than "art paper") I have a prized collection of paper. I think my red suede paper is sexy...I have also decided to take up the art of letter writing again. I e-mail, call, message, etc....but I also find that my correspondence with friends is not as intimate electronically so I am taking up the pen and typewriter again to send messages. I think it's like getting a little present in the mail.

I read a book recently also, that suggests just that (something much like it anyway). The idea is, if you are using a computer (keyboarding) things are going to come out differently than with a pen or other mediums. It will just be different, no better or worse, just different. I think there is a small, or large at times, difference in my communications,writing, and reading; this is dependent on the medium.

I know that I am using different areas of my brain to accomplish the writing or the reading depending on the medium because I have noticed that I am dyslexic (recent find and recent issue). The catch? I am only dyslexic while keyboarding on the computer. It is very specific. I read and write with other sources with no sign of dyslexia but recently I have had to edit everything I keyboard on the computer because when I type it, the letters are rearranged. I find this interesting because I show absolutely no sign of it using other mediums. I think this is connected to the medium, and we may lose something essential in our reading and/or writing if we don't have the variety. It's almost as if a different side of me comes out when I switch mediums.

Ok. Done. See what happens whn you mention vellum? blah blah blah....

[DanaC]

*smiles* I also have some affection for vellum.

I find the biggest difference between writing by hand and typing is to do with speed of thought and translation of that thought to the page. I find when I write by hand, i have to consciously avoid skipping syllables. I cannot form the words fast enough.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by DanaC

*smiles* I also have some affection for vellum.

I find the biggest difference between writing by hand and typing is to do with speed of thought and translation of that thought to the page. I find when I write by hand, i have to consciously avoid skipping syllables. I cannot form the words fast enough.

I noticed a large difference when I had something important to say to one of my friends that has been acting differently towards me (upsetting me) and wrote it all out in a message as an e-mail (erased it). Then I took out the pen and paper to write the letter. The tones of each were drastically different, at the same speed, and the same amount of editing. The point was the same, but the tone took on some changes that were more detailed and effective;hence I have decided to write letters to correspond again.

If you are bored maybe you could try this Dana. Write something to someone that you feel is important to you (you don't have to send it). Do it first with your word editing program or an e-mail, and save it. Then take out the pen and paper to tackle the same subject. I have the possible subject ready: a letter or message to your friend J full of things you need to tell him. (or whatever is on your mind) Just make sure the subject is the same.

Then read both. See if the tone changes or if any other major element changes. You might be surprised at what you find there, and you might not.


(I forget sometimes that no one wastes time doing things that I do)

[DanaC]

That's not a bad experiment, Cic. I tell you what I have noticed. I do write by hand, particularly if something occurs to me in the night. Usually this is poetry. I find I am much more self-conscious when I write by hand. When I type poetry I am much more lost in/engaged with the act. I am able to transpose the emotional content much more easily than when writing by hand.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I agree, Dana. With the spell-check and ease of editing, on the keyboard, I find I'm more connected with the content, and less with the process. Possibly a little more adventurous with vocabulary, too.

Although, probably more likely to include inane detail and superfluous bullshit.

[Stormieweather]

Alas, I cannot write by hand anymore. Carpel tunnel has injured my writing wrist (total numbness except when making writing motions for more than a few words, then pure agony). I've learned to love the backspace, delete and cut/paste functions of the computer world, however.

Stormie