Gone in 5 years??? Entertainment Message Board

onemellogirl · 10-18-10, 11:42 PM

As e-book readers and tablets become more common, author Nicholas Negroponte says that the physical book will be gone in five years. See why he thinks this will happen. [VIDEO] http://on.cnn.com/bk5T0R Have you replaced books with an e-reader?

I think we have discussed this before when the Kindle came out. I enjoy going to the library too much, not to mention it's free; but I hope our beloved books wont fade away like newspapers.

rudolphia · 10-18-10, 11:51 PM

I just don't believe this. I know too many people who take tactile pleasure in holding a book as they read. And to provide only electronic forms of books will exclude those who can't afford e-readers and mp3 players from literacy. How will libraries work?

At some point this may happen, but I don't think the infrastructure will be in place within 5 years.

lauralkemp · 10-19-10, 12:29 AM

My mother has a kindle but I don't. I'd like one someday but it's not in our budget.

I love the way a book smells, feels, and its still ultra portable and you don't have to worry about the battery dying.

MrsS1stbaby · 10-19-10, 08:43 AM

Nah, I don't think it would happen in 5 years. I myself cannot justify spending the money on one of those b/c like Amber daid, getting a book from the library is FREE. And I do love curling up in bed with a book, smelling the musty pages, sometimes finding a previous reader's notes or forgotten bookmark.

I remember learning in school what a big deal it was that we even have books, how the monks are the first ones to painstakely copy manuscripts and holy pages so that it could shared with the masses. I wonder how those original monks would feel about electronic and downloadable pages? Would they think it's amazing new way to spread that message? Or would they think it takes away some of the magic & integrity of what they were trying to do?

3Princes · 10-19-10, 01:41 PM

Nah--- think about children's books. They need the pictures, to point and take apart words, etc.

Although, I love the e-books for the kids now. I take my students to the computer lab and one of the thingsthey're allowed to do is listen/read the e-books.