Quote:
Originally Posted by SleepyBob
Except, the traditional definition of book has been tied to the container for centuries. A magazine is different than a book. A leaflet is different than a book. A billboard is different than a book. A radio show is different than a book.
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For centuries a "book" was defined as a number of flat things bound together on one side. It was 100% about the container and 0% about the contents. We still have match books, coupon books, note books, books of paint or carpet samples,... none of which are sold as reading material. Now, I have read the opposite definition right in this thread, that books are 0% about the container and 100% about the contents. I think things got confused when books became the ubiquitous way of distributing reading material, and people started using the name of the container for the contents. I always feel a bit sad when language evolves towards less information, but I guess I can't complain when the information that is disappearing doesn't matter to most people anymore.