The inevitable end of printed media

I think pretty much everyone accepts that, purely from a resource and common sense perspective, this was inevitable. We live in a society that is increasingly eco-sensitive and the rise of the internet has made most printed media largely redundant. I get that, I understand the push for modernization, I understand this is a wave that won't be stopped.

That said, I hate the kindle. I hate reading books, graphic novels ( :adjusts hipster glasses: ) or magazines on an e-reader. It lacks a certain tactile immediacy that I love. I collect old books. My favourite is a lambskin bound Tennyson book of poetry. Not because its my favourite book, but because of how it feels, the sounds the pages make, and the smell of aging paper. I've been in love with the act of reading since a very young age. I had a teacher notice I was a strong reader when I was a child, and she supplied me with Tolkien, Adams, Wilde and Vonnegut. I associate reading with these tactile sensations you can only get from picking up a book that's older than you are.

I mean, it's no great surprise I don't like the wave of modernity in printed media for the same reason I don't like the modern approach to things like film and social networking. Everything just seems more focused on flash than on substance. Now, is that a fair assessment when it comes to reading materials? No. The content of literature isn't necessarily as tied to the medium that conveys it, the way you can argue other media is, but I still balk at it for the same reasons. Is it fair? No. Purely reactionary on my part. I like books. I like newspapers. But I also, albeit grudgingly, acknowledge the concept of printing mass quantities of newspapers, books or other printed media just doesn't make a lot of sense when the technology to avoid it is there, coupled with a desire to lower our impact on the environment.

So no, I don't like this change over to purely digital media because I miss the tactile sensations attached to reading a book. I'm also uncomfortable with the concept of owning something that is digital, but that's a whole social theory debate for another day. I am, however, convinced going digital with printed media is a sound decision, if not one I enjoy.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

One thing we can all agree on: Even in the future of SIMPLY MAJESTIC ROBOTS and a world where all butts poop and everyone can read at a college level, if you buy your textbooks, paper or digital, from the official university source you're just begging to get sodomized. Seriously. Never do it.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

You hear that, world? Dopefish was the first boy to ever think maybe print media will go the way of the dinosaurs.

His idea.

Copyright.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.