100 years on

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Yapyap

I do find it interesting to consider that all the current cool, popular stuff will be a hundred years old and - most of it, other than whatever emerges as a handful of classics from our current era - will seem hopelessly outdated to the people in 2114.

It is very hard to say what will be remembered and still read from contemporary fiction in 100 years. Many extremely popular authors of the past have now sunk into obscurity.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

That's assuming that 100 years for now, the copyright period hasn't been extended again and again every time Steamboat Willie's copyright expires. Besides, if I am around in 2114, I am sure there will be plenty of new books that I plan on reading.

I'm a big supporter of the public domain, but if I am alive in 2114, I imagine there will plenty of other things more interesting going on than public domain books. What that will be, I don't know. In 1914, we couldn't predict what life in 2014 would be like. We are living in times that used to be when sci-fi was set! It is truly amazing what we take for granted.

That's also assuming some enterprising fanatic(s) hasn't succeeded in blowing the whole world to kingdom come before then. People have a talent for doing the opposite of what is good for them in the name of (insert cause here).

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by greenapple

I envy the next, next generation.

Do you think the next generation will sit around waiting for 2114 to read a book published today? Will they be making lists and hoping the authors will die young?

Helen

[Glorfindel]

Hope not. That would be... creepy...

[HarryT]

To be honest, whether or not a book is free is totally irrelevant to me. I have a reasonably well-paid job, and books are comparatively inexpensive. If I want to read something, I read it, and it really doesn't matter whether the book is free or not.

[Sydney's Mom]

Unfortunately, I don't think they will be reading in 100 years. The digital revolution broadens entertainment options, and I doubt books will make the cut. There will be a few hard core readers, but I think most of society is already stepping away from books, digital or otherwise.

If someone has seen stats that make this argument ridiculous, please don't hesitate (as if you would!) to tell me I am in error.

Debra

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Unfortunately, I don't think they will be reading in 100 years. The digital revolution broadens entertainment options, and I doubt books will make the cut. There will be a few hard core readers, but I think most of society is already stepping away from books, digital or otherwise.

If someone has seen stats that make this argument ridiculous, please don't hesitate (as if you would!) to tell me I am in error.

Debra

I hope you're wrong about that.

[Section8]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Unfortunately, I don't think they will be reading in 100 years. The digital revolution broadens entertainment options, and I doubt books will make the cut. There will be a few hard core readers, but I think most of society is already stepping away from books, digital or otherwise.

If someone has seen stats that make this argument ridiculous, please don't hesitate (as if you would!) to tell me I am in error.

Debra

I've worried about the same thing - that 100 years from now, people will using devices I can't imagine, and so just reading text for entertainment/leisure will die out.

But there may be reason for hope - over the past 100 years, we've seen radio, movies, TV, video games, etc, all rise in popularity, and books have survived and thrived through it all.

[rkomar]

Just within the programming world. I'm seeing a trend away from written documentation to videos. It seems that many younger people can't follow the written instructions as easily as those spoken and displayed in videos. It's strange to me, since the text is so much more precise and concise, but there you have it.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by rkomar

Just within the programming world. I'm seeing a trend away from written documentation to videos. It seems that many younger people can't follow the written instructions as easily as those spoken and displayed in videos. It's strange to me, since the text is so much more precise and concise, but there you have it.

I read a lot and have since I was 3. I often find a well done video will show me the error of my ways if I am having a problem with something specific. Usually, probably always I read the instructions first.

For games I often don't read the instructions till have done the tutorial if there is one.

And I have come to appreciate the numerous how to videos on cooking and repairing etc.

I recently managed to repair a vacuum and my carpet cleaner thanks to videos. My dishwasher I fixed last year by reading written instructions from the web.

I don't think it is the younger generations abilities at fault, just that sometimes users who have experience can address a specific point in a different or even better manner and the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" has been around for some time I think.

And while documentation is no doubt improving, some of it is still unusable, poorly translated, or incomplete. I've even written some of it myself I am afraid.

Maybe they will come up with a better way to read, but not all will like them. We have audiobooks but I prefer to read.

Can't say I am worried though about reading 100 years from now. A lot of people don't read much today, and a smaller percentage of the population read 100 or 1000 years ago and the world trundled along. Many happy well adjusted and intelligent people prefer not to read and while I may not understand it as I personally read a lot, it is their choice to make not mine.

Helen

[QuantumIguana]

Originally Posted by rkomar

Just within the programming world. I'm seeing a trend away from written documentation to videos. It seems that many younger people can't follow the written instructions as easily as those spoken and displayed in videos. It's strange to me, since the text is so much more precise and concise, but there you have it.

There is more training on video because it has become practical to make and distribute video. In college classes, students watch and listen to professors rather than just learning everything from reading text. Text is just one way of learning, why not augment it?

[SteveEisenberg]

Other than the part about us being dead, folks on this thread seem pretty optimistic concerning life in 2114.

If things go on an even keel, with no super-volcano or nuclear winter, I expect Project Gutenberg Canada, operating under the Life + 50 rule, to have an awesome collection by then. And, what with global warming, I expect our great great grandchildren to be spending an awful lot of time up there.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by crich70

I hope you're wrong about that.

So do I