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comment by thenewgreen
thenewgreen  ·  4638 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: After 244 Years, Encyclopaedia Britannica Stops the Presses
I'm sure they'll think of something




Lu  ·  4638 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Indeed they will! I am a big supporter of the book not only for its content but also for its value as an object, but I think it is interesting to speculate on the evolution of print, books, libraries etc. These things are no doubt changing for better or for worse. I wonder how the characteristics of books and libraries will translate in digital form. Books have a kind of palimpsest, or residue of use that tells a story about its life. Dog eared pages, coffee stains, names written behind the cover etc. Just as books as objects can be passed down, borrowed, and given as a gift. I remember receiving a set of encyclopedia from my Grandfather for a birthday present as a child, and there was something impressive and compelling to me about the literal weight of the books and how that related to the gravity of its content. How will digital media make room for these kinds of real physical expressions of use, how will they wear?
thenewgreen  ·  4637 days ago  ·  link  ·  
    How will digital media make room for these kinds of real physical expressions of use, how will they wear?
I'm not sure but I do think we can see an analogy in the resurgence in the collection of vinyl. Eventually, books will take on this role imo. People will long for the the nostalgia; the smell, coffee stains, dog eared pages and names written.