Tag Archives: paper vs electronic

From Papyrus to Pixels Summary

In the article “From Papyrus to Pixels” The Economist tackles a topic that readers like myself face in everyday life. That is the problem of the e-reader and how it has changed how we choose to read. As technology advances there are new ways to access information. The Economist speaks about the pros and cons in using an e-reader or other electronic reading devices versus reading words in an actual book. It was mentioned how students retain more information when reading a book and how it puts less strain on the reader themselves. Although the author’s research has been in favor of the book, there is still a possibility that they may become obsolete due to the fact that the information can be easily accessed electronically. Only time will tell how we choose to access our information in the future.

The Summary of the article”The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus Screens”

In the article ” The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus Screens” the author proves how reading from papers is unlike reading on screens for many reasons. First of all, the structure of the typography has a huge different view comparing e-books to paper book has nothing in common except the words. Even the words themselves have different curves and hollow spaces. Paper books have more notice topography than onscreen text. Second, the reader is clear with the left and right pages on paper books opposite of using e-books. As the writer mentions that when you start using e-books you will miss paper books how paper which shows that paper books will be always there. In studies of published in 2013 Ann Magen tested students who studied by paper books and e-books, the result was that the students who studied by paper books did a little better that students who studied onscreen. That proves the people who read by screen generally the rate of the information they got from a text is small because their memory do not remember as much as if they read from paper books. Also, reading onscreen makes the eyes got tired fast especially for people who use screens of time for long period because their eyes will be hurt. However it is always easier for the eyes to read paper books, some people prefer e-books which has no weight to carry around. This article explains that paper books will be always there, however the world changes and improves people will not switch from paper books to e-book easily.

Analysis on From Papyrus to Pixels

In spite of varied opinions on the future elimination of books in paper form as a result of technological advances like the eBook, the Economist illustrates books as a form of technology that has evolved over time with room for adaptability in “From papyrus to pixels: The future of the book.” In this neutral article, the Economist does not argue against the developments of new electronic book forms or the threat they pose to traditional books as many believe, but states “Books read in electronic form will boast the same power and some new ones to boot” as their paperback predecessors. Nor does the Economist insist on paperback versions of books being the best format for books.  The Economist paints a vivid picture of the emergence and evolution of the technology of the book by using Cicero’s “de Officiis,” as a prime example of how technological advances have changed over time and have even reserved ancient information.  Cicero’s “de Officiis,” has been around since 44BC and currently resides in the Huntington Library in San Marino, California after being transitioned into various formats throughout the years all because of the ever-changing technology of books.  The Economist explores the technology of the book itself rather than a source of information or pleasure dependent on its effectiveness from which it is formatted.

Question: Why do people feel like the advancement of electronic technology is such a threat to traditional books?

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