MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Where would you start in explaining ebooks to a non-techie total newbie?

desertgrandma · 11-04-2008, 05:24 PM

"I don't see it as "sad" at all. Just different. Just as it's different to have a child read a book, rather than reciting history orally as many traditions still do. Do you feel your life has been irrevocably diminished because your parents didn't sing your family history to you?"

No, because there was still human interaction. THATS the problem here. Computers are great, but not a substitute for a child sitting close to some one and exchanging thoughts about what was just read.
And at the same time, its an excellent way to point out different ways of thinking, why you should, or shouldn't do something. All computers can do is state facts.

Almost as unimaginable as a world in which irreplaceable literature can be lost as easily as leaving it out in the air. Again, co-exist. Books can be reprinted for future generations to enjoy.

What's most important in a book isn't the paper... it's the knowledge. I'd gladly sacrifice paper usage and keep the knowledge.
I could not disagree with you more. The paper is important. The simple act of holding a book is empowering. Holding a book reader, you may have 1000 books loaded, but its just a device.

I don't despise paper. But paper is a product from a vanishing and threatened resource, partly because there are close to 7 billion of us (and growing) making demands upon it. Like many other resources, we can't keep using paper as we always have... it won't take but a few billion more people's demands, and we'll just wipe them out. So we're going to have to get used to seeing a lot less paper about, sooner or later. Or we'll have to get used to the worlds of Soylent Green and Silent Running. Oh, Puleeze!

I already sacrifice certain experiences and activities, for the sake of the planet, and I'm personally willing to sacrifice the tactile experience of handling paper for the sake of having trees. I see it as a lot better than having tons of books around, and not a single tree in sight.
[COLOR="Red"]Thats absurd
I doubt books are the reason the trees are vanishing. Is the Amazon being cut down for books? Do we send our best wood to Japan and other places for making books? Its human greed, pure and simple.

This is going nowhere. I don't think books should ever be replaced by bookreaders. You think they should. Fine.

11-04-2008, 05:24 PM	#71
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	"I don't see it as "sad" at all. Just different. Just as it's different to have a child read a book, rather than reciting history orally as many traditions still do. Do you feel your life has been irrevocably diminished because your parents didn't sing your family history to you?" No, because there was still human interaction. THATS the problem here. Computers are great, but not a substitute for a child sitting close to some one and exchanging thoughts about what was just read. And at the same time, its an excellent way to point out different ways of thinking, why you should, or shouldn't do something. All computers can do is state facts. Almost as unimaginable as a world in which irreplaceable literature can be lost as easily as leaving it out in the air. Again, co-exist. Books can be reprinted for future generations to enjoy. What's most important in a book isn't the paper... it's the knowledge. I'd gladly sacrifice paper usage and keep the knowledge. I could not disagree with you more. The paper is important. The simple act of holding a book is empowering. Holding a book reader, you may have 1000 books loaded, but its just a device. I don't despise paper. But paper is a product from a vanishing and threatened resource, partly because there are close to 7 billion of us (and growing) making demands upon it. Like many other resources, we can't keep using paper as we always have... it won't take but a few billion more people's demands, and we'll just wipe them out. So we're going to have to get used to seeing a lot less paper about, sooner or later. Or we'll have to get used to the worlds of Soylent Green and Silent Running. Oh, Puleeze! I already sacrifice certain experiences and activities, for the sake of the planet, and I'm personally willing to sacrifice the tactile experience of handling paper for the sake of having trees. I see it as a lot better than having tons of books around, and not a single tree in sight. [COLOR="Red"]Thats absurd I doubt books are the reason the trees are vanishing. Is the Amazon being cut down for books? Do we send our best wood to Japan and other places for making books? Its human greed, pure and simple. This is going nowhere. I don't think books should ever be replaced by bookreaders. You think they should. Fine.