Wonderful topic and as someone who has spent the major portion of their childhood and adolescence immersed in books, I can say the internet has certainly changed the way we gain and consume information.
As a child, I was one of the fortunate ones in my neighbourhood whose parents believed in the value of books and reading and never demurred when I wanted to buy one. My dad had even signed me up as a member of the tiny circulating library in my community and my afternoons during the hot summer days would be spent curled up with a book and I remember staying awake until 3 - 4am to finish a book because I couldn't bear to put it down, not without knowing what happened next.
Later, when I had to research for my Master's thesis, I remember spending hours frequenting libraries, searching through master indexes, locating volumes in darkened aisles and studying staggering tomes to find a relevant line that I could use - and taking copious notes when I did. I don't think that's a thing anymore for research students. I would travel to the other end of town to the British Library just to borrow books.
So yeah, while the internet has certainly made things convenient and time-saving, nothing beats the pleasure and satisfaction of holding a physical book and flipping through its pages, dogearing the interesting bits, and if it's your own copy, annotating it. When I pick up a book I'd read years ago, reading through my own annotations brings me so much joy - it's like discovering yourself through who you were and your reactions in the past! In fact, a large part of my youth was spent scouring the streets for second hand copies of books - and if they're annotated, it was like finding a treasure! I would feel like I'd found a friend in those annotations and would long to know who they were! The more pristine and untouched a book is, the less interesting it is to me! 😆
I also think a physical book allows you to experience the book better - deeper. It's more immersive. It's like actually being at the Taj Mahal instead of just seeing a picture or video of it, if that makes sense?
Though I will make an argument for e-books - the ease of access and convenience they bring. I can order one and have it instantly on my device, or borrow one and have it on my app at midnight if I feel like reading - instead of waiting to get to my library or the book store the next day. Then again, a counter-argument can be made against the instant gratification that brings as opposed to the excitement and anticipation of having to wait.
I think that's the fundamental change we see in all things modern - a change wrought by technology and internet. Instant gratification is everywhere and people don't have the patience to wait, and therefore don't experience the joy of delayed gratification - and conversely, don't want to because if you can get it immediately, why wait? The present generation is kinda spoiled in that sense, but though technology has overtaken a major chunk of leisure time these days, I think a fair amount of kids still read. I can say this for where I live at least - where the library is still a very popular destination for families especially in winters where they come in droves and hang out, exploring books and reading together.
Bottomline, I don't think the internet has made books completely redundant - those who want to and can find joy in books still do - whether paper copies or e-books. But yes, for those looking for quick fixes and information at the snap of a finger, the internet has certainly made things easier.
For me, books are associated with reading and reading in turn is associated with knowledge and entertainment. If the internet can provide both, then I'm all for it and I see how people these days are more informed thanks to various sources available on the internet. However, there's one thing that books give that the internet (and e-books) cannot. The sentiment, the value and even the legacy of owning something priceless. I still have my grandfather's annotated copy of C. Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata that I treasure more than anything I own.
But I still feel reading, on the whole can never be replaced or rendered redundant because whatever the medium, it's still reading and everyone does it in some form or the other! My friend who dislikes reading books turns on the subtitles when she watches movies or TV shows and says: "I'm still reading something, aren't I?" And I roll my eyes hard but yeah, she may have a point. 😆
That being said, India needs a free access or subsidized public library system that makes books more easily accessible to the general public. Many people cannot afford to keep buying books when it's just to research a topic or even satisfy a curiosity about something. I have seen how popular the public library is here and I strongly feel India needs one. An e-book public access system would be a great place to start since most people have access to a phone and internet these days.
Edited by LizzieBennet - 2 years ago
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