Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Are Printed Books Going Obsolescent?

Just recently, Encyclopedia Britannica launched its 15th edition of 32 volumes. But it did so quietly or not as pompously as it did launch its previous editions.

Two decades ago, the prized reference material in every house or library was the encyclopedia, ubiquitously and meticulously arranged and cased in polished cabinets. But now, the computer has usurped that place.

Raymond Kurzweil in “The End of Books” tells that the paper book will be obsolescent by the early 21st century. And indeed, the versatile form of the electronic form and the low cost of production, as enumerated by Geoffrey Nunberg of the Stanford University, contribute much to this.

Adding to such factors the growing global concern for the environment, one can resoundingly answer the above question in the affirmative. But the inevitable question is when? Visiting the recently concluded Manila International Book Fair at the SM Mall of Asia, one can only surmise that the printed book will still linger a little bit longer.

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