Random thoughts about reading,books,etc.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Do you agree with the following statement?

Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt me.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Given that paper comes from trees which are used in books does every tree have the potential to tell a story?

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

If chimpanzees could write, what kind of books would they write about?

Well I read once where this scientist took a chimp, put him in a room by himself (with a bunch of toys) and then after locking the door he bent to look through the keyhole to see what the chimp did. Know what he saw? A brown eye looking back at him. The chimp was curious to see what the scientist was doing! I can only imagine that if they could write they'd write papers about all the crazy stuff we do in our natural habitat much like what our scientists do after observing them in theirs.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

Do you agree with the following statement?

Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt me.

Wishful thinking I think. Sometimes the hurt from words alone can cause more lasting pain than anything else. Just ask anyone who hears someone say the words, "You're fired."

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

When you see the writing on the wall is that good or bad?

I think it depends on if you see a disembodied hand writing it or not.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Some of the oldest surviving texts are preserved on clay tablets. Today many of us read digital texts on electronic tablets. Have we come full circle?

I think so. The really odd thing is some people say we aren't really reading a book when we do it. Excuse me, but while the media the book is written on may change i.e. tablet, scroll, manuscript, book and now back to tablet again the same process is still going on in the human mind, that of translating the squiggles into words, concepts and ideas. That is unless someone can prove that they don't have the basic model organic brain system complete with the wetware that the rest of us have.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Would there ever be a market for an ereader which would simulate a paper book's ability to give a paper cut?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

Would there ever be a market for an ereader which would simulate a paper book's ability to give a paper cut?

For masochists, for action fans who want a life-like reading experience and for students who can claim that as an excuse for not doing their homework.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

For masochists, for action fans who want a life-like reading experience and for students who can claim that as an excuse for not doing their homework.

To be effective this feature would have to be totally random so it would come as a surprise to get a paper cut. Perhaps this ereader could have the setting of a low probability of getting a paper cut (one in every 50,000 swipes/clicks) or a higher probability of getting a paper cut (one in every 10,000 swipes/clicks). As far as the mechanism for the cut it could be a tiny micro-millimeter razor which would eject then retract from the edge of a screen ( for a swipe) or within a button (for a click).


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Another new feature ereaders could have would be to have a mirror like surface on the back of the ereader. This would come in handy because if anyone needed a mirror to help shave, put on make up or whatever they could simply flip the ereader around.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

To be effective this feature would have to be totally random so it would come as a surprise to get a paper cut. Perhaps this ereader could have the setting of a low probability of getting a paper cut (one in every 50,000 swipes/clicks) or a higher probability of getting a paper cut (one in every 10,000 swipes/clicks). As far as the mechanism for the cut it could be a tiny micro-millimeter razor which would eject then retract from the edge of a screen ( for a swipe) or within a button (for a click).

Wow, you have a really deviously sadistic mind!

You'd have made an excellent inquisitor a few hundred years back.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Nobody ever expected the Spanish Inquisition! Since I am of Spanish ancestry I like to think my family came to the new world to escape the inquisition rather than engage in it.

However, the idea behind the paper cut simulation is not to inflict pain since the cut would be minor (barely scratching the skin) but to build a sense of suspense while reading.

And the mirror like feature to the back of the ereader is also to help people, rather than hurt. In fact, if someone is ever out hiking out in the wilderness with the ereader and gets lost the mirror like surface could be used to signal for help. Additionally, this ereader could have a small pop-out lens to help use sunlight to start a fire.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

However, the idea behind the paper cut simulation is not to inflict pain since the cut would be minor (barely scratching the skin) but to build a sense of suspense while reading.

No one could complain then that books are boring.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Another neat feature the new waterproof ereaders could have would be to also function as a drink coaster. Many ereaders lay around on tables anway and when not in use simply flip over and place a drink on it to protect the furniture. Preferably the back of the ereader would be interchangeable to allow different drink coaster designs on it.

[doubleshuffle]

Good way of thinking.

I could use your credit card as a coaster while you aren't using it.

Or brains could be used to do computing tasks for university networks while their owners aren't using them. Those that aren't up to the task could perhaps serve as props in zombie films.

[Ricky D'Angelo]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Good way of thinking.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

I could use your credit card as a coaster while you aren't using it.

No thanks.