Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady
There's a permanence and immutability to a print book that you don't have with a digital file. A paper book is what it is; the words don't change. A digital file, though, can be changed on a whim--by me or by someone else. That is ultimately very scary.
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A single copy of a book cannot be changed except by such methods as scissors, pens and/or whiteout. I believe that many books have been reprinted differently because of social issues (Nancy Drew?) or to reflect government policy in some countries. Even the bible has changed quite a bit over time.
I agree with you that changing someone else's work is akin to vandalism and censorship and both are scary prospects but I also cringe every time I see a book, especially a library book, that is scribbled on or whole lines have been blacked out, or obscenities written on a margin. I wouldn't write on my own copy of a textbook. Post it notes for me
Nice use of the word immutability BTW.
Helen