MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Do we need a new word for "reading" on screens since it is a very different animal?

eGeezer · 10-30-2009, 01:28 PM

After having an evening at a soccer game, and a night of restful sleep to ponder this deep and pressing issue, I think I am finally able to seriously address what I find askew about this whole subject.

A new word or phrase for an action will evolve naturally for any given act when it's time has come. When that happens, it will just roll naturally off the tongue, and people will know what it means.

Any attempt at orchestrating its appearance before that time is merely artificial contrivance and manipulation in an attempt to "be the first one on the block" to use a new term which is neither necessary or desired except by the "inventor".

Scientists with a new process, or a new element, need a term to describe their discovery. In that case, it was not contrivance or an artificial attempt to force a new word on an old process. It IS something new.

Finding a new word for reading because it is being done on a new medium does not fit this need or scenario.

Movies are books presented using moving pictures on a strip of cellulose with a film of light-reactive chemicals. Videos are movies created using an electronic process on a plastic strip coated with a magnetic-reactive film.

Whether created on movie film or video tape, the result is still that you watch a "movie". Although you might differentiate the medium if you are going to watch it using a VCR or DVD player, you are still more likely to merely invite a friend over to watch a "movie".

Likewise, we will always "read" a book, and recognize it as a work created by a person transferring his thoughts to "written" words -- no matter what his medium to "write" that book. We may differentiate the presentation medium, if we feel it necessary, by saying we are reading a book, or an ebook (or paper or epaper, or magazine or emag), but we will always say we are reading it as long as the author says he has written it.

Just as you are reading this now even though when you finally fall asleep because I am going on and on and on, you will drool on a keyboard instead of a piece of paper.

10-30-2009, 01:28 PM	#113
eGeezer NE1 seen my glasses? Posts: 396 Karma: 4864 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Seattle Device: Nook Glowlight (following previous nook STR and STR w/GL)	After having an evening at a soccer game, and a night of restful sleep to ponder this deep and pressing issue, I think I am finally able to seriously address what I find askew about this whole subject. A new word or phrase for an action will evolve naturally for any given act when it's time has come. When that happens, it will just roll naturally off the tongue, and people will know what it means. Any attempt at orchestrating its appearance before that time is merely artificial contrivance and manipulation in an attempt to "be the first one on the block" to use a new term which is neither necessary or desired except by the "inventor". Scientists with a new process, or a new element, need a term to describe their discovery. In that case, it was not contrivance or an artificial attempt to force a new word on an old process. It IS something new. Finding a new word for reading because it is being done on a new medium does not fit this need or scenario. Movies are books presented using moving pictures on a strip of cellulose with a film of light-reactive chemicals. Videos are movies created using an electronic process on a plastic strip coated with a magnetic-reactive film. Whether created on movie film or video tape, the result is still that you watch a "movie". Although you might differentiate the medium if you are going to watch it using a VCR or DVD player, you are still more likely to merely invite a friend over to watch a "movie". Likewise, we will always "read" a book, and recognize it as a work created by a person transferring his thoughts to "written" words -- no matter what his medium to "write" that book. We may differentiate the presentation medium, if we feel it necessary, by saying we are reading a book, or an ebook (or paper or epaper, or magazine or emag), but we will always say we are reading it as long as the author says he has written it. Just as you are reading this now even though when you finally fall asleep because I am going on and on and on, you will drool on a keyboard instead of a piece of paper. Last edited by eGeezer; 10-30-2009 at 01:36 PM.