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We’ve been hearing it for the last decade: technology is killing traditional publishing. And, indeed, if you ask my book agent, it’s getting harder and harder to sell a traditional print book because, well, people are buying fewer of them, the market is shrinking, imprints are folding, publishers are rethinking… and, of course, now purists are worried that Kindle, and other e-readers, are the death knell.
Whether any of this is true or not and whether any of this matters or not (and certainly you guys can duke it out in the comments if you’d like), the video embed here gives me hope that some brilliant synergy is just around the corner. Because what is certain is this: change is inevitable. But if it’s the kind of change you’re about to watch, this writer/father is all for it!
Comments (23)
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What’s in the video is interesting but I am purest when it comes to good old-fashioned paperbacks and reading in bed or on the couch on a cold, raining fall/winter/spring day.
posted by Sarah in CA on 12-13-2009 at 12:44 am
What’s in the video is interesting but I am a purest when it comes to good old-fashioned paperbacks and reading in bed or on the couch on a cold, raining fall/winter/spring day.
posted by Sarah in CA on 12-13-2009 at 12:45 am
I’m with Sarah. Although we have a ton of gadgets between my husband I, including a Kindle, we still have WAY more actual books and usually drag them along wherever instead of the Kindle. Today we went through a ton to get rid of and donate, and in the end our three 8-foot tall bookshelves were (finally) neater but still packed full.
I love reading, collecting, and being surrounded by actual books. Although I must say, the idea in the vid *is* pretty neat!
posted by Oshi on 12-13-2009 at 2:04 am
Cute, but missing the one thing’s that’s essential in a book:
WORDS.
posted by Ann on 12-13-2009 at 2:08 am
That’s not a book, it’s a video game.
posted by ddt on 12-13-2009 at 2:31 am
Very nice but not very stress free for the parent as the child throws the book around with $xxx of hardware sat in it.
posted by Simon on 12-13-2009 at 5:55 am
i’m with Ann and ddt the whole lack of actual WORDS issue.
posted by mri on 12-13-2009 at 10:18 am
OK… whoa whoa whoa people who are saying it’s missing words… really – I see nothing but potential here; that is but ONE possible concept.
posted by @jodie_nodes on 12-13-2009 at 2:30 pm
When the “book” does all the work, whats the point of imagination?
posted by nobody on 12-13-2009 at 3:11 pm
THE PRINTED WORD SHALL NOT DIE AS LONG AS I HAVE A SAY IN IT :K
posted by cassy on 12-13-2009 at 6:06 pm
It nice what technology can do these days but I would prefer to read a printed book than read on the iPhone. Reading on the iPhone could be bad for your eyes.
posted by Kari on 12-13-2009 at 6:33 pm
Ba-humbug.
The box is still made in China.
posted by The White Wolf on 12-13-2009 at 10:14 pm
Just want to remind everyone that there are tons of picture books (i.e. books with no words) out there. Some are absolutely brilliant. If you don’t believe me, check out Flotsam by David Wiesner. It won the Caldecott Medal and it doesn’t have a single word in it, yet tells a rich, engaging story nontheless.
posted by arkansaswebb on 12-13-2009 at 11:17 pm
I’m sure the traditional paper book will not die, I personally love to read a book now and then, and I won’t buy a kindle due to the cost, or a iPhone due to the apple.
posted by Zunaro on 12-14-2009 at 3:07 am
WE SHOULD NOT LET THE PRINTED WORLD END!!!! Encourage people to read more books in printed form & more newspapers.
posted by Karl on 12-14-2009 at 4:00 am
It is a great way to combine the physical book with technology (page flipping). Size is pretty small but I imagine that would change with popularity.
On the flip side. I have kids and the fact that the dad in the video was the one actually playing with the device doesn’t help the idea that it’s actually for kids. . . Great idea, (by demo alone) seems that the actual kid part needs work. I imagine though this is just a kid book and there are adult books as well for this same idea.
posted by Christian on 12-14-2009 at 9:04 am
Well, change is ineveitable, but coming up with a new method of storytelling is just that – storytelling. I don’t see how this can replace a book. A book and this thing are related, but not interchangeable in the eyes of a reader. So there is my opinion.
posted by Bubba on 12-14-2009 at 11:33 am
Never mind the book, I want a dad like that!
posted by Jo Ann on 12-14-2009 at 12:35 pm
The problem with light emitting screens is that they act as stimulants. Studies have shown once a child has a certain level of stimuli they are frustrated when given anything less. In this version the book is no longer a quieting experience. The sound of the voice, how the language is used and pronounced, etc, these things will be lost and they are important. I’m not a luddite, I think the solution they’ve created here is brilliant, it’s just not appropriate. This is a book better suited for a gamer who may otherwise find a book too static. (And likewise woe to him.)
posted by Deiter on 12-14-2009 at 12:54 pm
Books do not require energy. When energy is not available, books are still going to be the best thing around for information, entertainment and story telling. Books will not go away because of this. They may be marginalized but they will not go away.
posted by Mike on 12-14-2009 at 2:30 pm
@Deiter, my sentiments exactly.
posted by Ophelia on 12-14-2009 at 3:05 pm
I must agree with everyone. First of all, why give children something that costs a crapload of money that they will probably throw at some point…. Second, there are no words and reading is essential to a developing child, I doubt staring into a Iphone is good for young eyes. Either give them a book or be lazy and let them watch TV/play video games, make up your mind.
posted by Justine on 12-14-2009 at 3:47 pm
I’m Generation Y, I’ve grown up with technology, and I think this is definitely cool, but it really shouldn’t replace books. Maybe this can be a way of helping to improve motor control, but it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for reading. Kids need to learn to use their imaginations or we may not even have cool technology like this in the future.
posted by curiousgeorgie on 12-14-2009 at 11:47 pm