Over six months ago, Michel Krielaars posted an article in NRC, a Dutch newspaper, that shows a great real-world example of the concept of digital disruption and its impact on the world of literature. The article references ‘La fin des livres’ by Octave Uzanne and Albert Robida, a century-old story that predicted the decline of printed books due to emerging technologies like sound recordings. Even then, the authors predicted that people would increasingly seek convenience and that turning a book page would soon be seen as too much trouble. This idea seems to be coming true today, as fewer and fewer people read physical books and new media are gaining a larger share (Krielaars, 2023).
Krielaars highlights a significant shift at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB) in the Netherlands, where digital books are now prioritized over physical copies due to space constraints. This change reflects the broader trend of digital disruption, where emerging technologies transform traditional industries—in this case, the publishing and library sectors. The rise of e-books and digital platforms offers advantages, such as increased convenience and accessibility. However, this shift also introduces new challenges and vulnerabilities. The article warns of potential risks, including cyber-attacks and political censorship, which could lead to the loss of knowledge. Unlike physical books, which act as a repository of cultural heritage, digital formats are more fragile and subject to these threats. This disruption showcases the balance between embracing innovation and safeguarding long-standing traditions in the digital age.
As someone who appreciates the benefits of digitalization, I find myself torn between its advantages and the concerns it raises. The ease of access to e-books and digital resources is advantageous as studying becomes more efficient. Yet, the potential for digital information to vanish due to technical failures or cyberattacks is troubling. This tension shows why physical books are still important, they are dependable and lasting sources of knowledge.
What are your thoughts on this shift? Do you believe that the convenience of digital media outweighs the risks associated with it? How do you see the balance between physical and digital books evolving in the future?
References:
Krielaars, M. (2023b, December 29). Digitalisering bedreigt de bibliotheek: waarom papieren boeken nog broodnodig zijn. NRC. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/12/29/digitalisering-bedreigt-de-bibliotheek-waarom-papieren-boeken-nog-broodnodig-zijn-a4185489
Thank you for the interest post Britt! I liked how you compared the decline of printed books to the rise of digital media. I personally love the convenience of e-books, but like you I also worry about the risks, like losing access to digital files or cyberattacks. Physical books seem more reliable in the long run because they can’t just disappear due to technical issues.
To answer your question, I think digital media will definitely keep growing because it’s so convenient, but I don’t think physical books will disappear completely. In the future, I can see libraries having both digital and physical books to make sure important knowledge is always preserved. Digital books are great for quick access and convenience, but physical books might still be needed as a backup.
Very interesting discussion. On one hand, I myself own an e-reader where I read ebooks on. I think it is very convenient to bring all my favorites with me and do not have to have a big book case in my home. I do understand the appeal of physical books and I do hope that they won’t be completely replaced by ebooks. Another threat that I think is worth mentioning is the amount of illegal trading in ebooks, as well as other electronic items. The pirate websites where people can download almost anything for free have a big presence online. This is also damaging for authors and the entire industry. All in all I think you raise some interesting points, but I myself am also quite divided on this topic.
Hi Britt,
Very interesting take on the book market. Indeed, I also think there is a shift going on between physical and online books. However, I do think this shift is minimal.
I myself prefer having a printed book in my hands whenever I’m reading ficton. And of course, downloading a book on an e-reader is much more convenient but that’s not the point in my opinion. The whole process of going to a bookshop and holding a physical book can also be seen as an experience. And you really miss that experience with e-readers. You can therefore see this trend among people of Gen z (see links at the bottom of my comment).
So yes, I think there is indeed a shift going on but it is not as big as expected. A lot of people nowadays are using physical books to distract themself from the digital world, including myself. And in my opinion this will not change.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/feb/09/reading-is-so-sexy-gen-z-turns-to-physical-books-and-libraries#:~:text=Research%20from%20Nielsen%20BookData%20highlights,person%20visits%20are%20up%2071%25.
https://www.storaenso.com/en/newsroom/news/2022/6/which-do-you-prefer-an-e-book-or-physical-book