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tomsem · 05-20-2013, 06:17 PM

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...-paper-screens

I think the "science" is at best exploratory at this point, and am skeptical on many levels about any of the 'conclusions' that are being suggested.

Digital reading is a skill, and digital reading systems and technologies are not all created equal. But the studies referred to don't appear to explore more than one digital reading system. Books aren't equal, either: they can be poorly typeset, cheap paper, or have unpleasant odors.

Also the subjects of the studies likely have a lifetime of experience reading books, but only a few years (if that) with digital reading. Again, it is a skill and brains need to rewire to do it well.

Without reading the methodology, it is impossible to know what they have experimental controls for.

I agree that ebook navigation is not what it ought to be, but digital reading is still in the early stages, and has yet to really tackle the higher-hanging fruit (textbooks, technical) that would really benefit from improved reading systems.

05-20-2013, 06:17 PM	#1
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,942 Karma: 27060153 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	"The Science of Paper versus Screens" http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...-paper-screens I think the "science" is at best exploratory at this point, and am skeptical on many levels about any of the 'conclusions' that are being suggested. Digital reading is a skill, and digital reading systems and technologies are not all created equal. But the studies referred to don't appear to explore more than one digital reading system. Books aren't equal, either: they can be poorly typeset, cheap paper, or have unpleasant odors. Also the subjects of the studies likely have a lifetime of experience reading books, but only a few years (if that) with digital reading. Again, it is a skill and brains need to rewire to do it well. Without reading the methodology, it is impossible to know what they have experimental controls for. I agree that ebook navigation is not what it ought to be, but digital reading is still in the early stages, and has yet to really tackle the higher-hanging fruit (textbooks, technical) that would really benefit from improved reading systems. Last edited by tomsem; 05-20-2013 at 06:23 PM.