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I am part of this e-generation and I will tell you know, the art of literature is dying very quickly. I am one of the very few authors/poets left in my age range, the love for it is simply gone. I however will continue to love it and spread it and so will my children.

The art of literature, as it dies, is becoming one of the greatest arts, simply because there are very few authors now. To write a book and earn money you must be one of the best, and to the people that DO read books it's a blessing that we get to read the best of the best. But think about it, every picture, movie, internet site, essay needs words for it to work. Perhaps literature is simply evolving.

Most people I know (computer freaks/geeks et al. ) all like reading a book better then reading on computerscreen/e-books. So books would endure for at least untill people can make better screen
The advantage of books (espcially books for schools) is that you can write notes in them, a little hard at present with e-books/computer texts(unless you print it out, and then not much of a difference)

I don't think that books will *die*....... I much prefer reading real books than e-books, I would be much saddened to see books disappear. I, myself have tried writing a novel, but i don't think i have these talents. contrary to what my teacher thinks........

I believe that writing, as an expression, finds an outlet in many mediums.

Take, for example, the dialogue found within CRPGs such as BG2, or PST (my favorite ). Quite frankly, an immense amount of talent is represented in those games...the writing is superb, and character development rivals that of some of the finest literature I have read.

Will the reading of books fade? I don't think so. Other mediums will have their day, but I don't think any of us need worry about writing as an art and expression...it shall continue on, and simply find new manifestations in the mediums which present themselves.

Are there any substitutes worthy of replacing the reading of a good book? Of course not. To me, that is an almost sacred thing. When I am on a roll, I can read two 200 page books in a very short period of time. LOL, I read Shogun in about four days.

I would hope that the printed word never goes out of style I love reading and find a book to be more immersive than reading off a screen. There's something personal about making notes in a margin, or a book that falls open to a favorite passage. It's very comforting to me to bring a book when I have an appointment or a plane trip.

e-Books pale in comparison to the printed versions. I remember reading Jurgen on the recommendation of fable. And it was awful, (reading on screen, book was very good). Its horrible and without the ability to bookmark, made things rather difficult scrolling down. I wouldn't be surprised if its damaging for the eyes too, plus unless one has a sofa placed next to the computer its not very comforting. One of the joys of reading is getting into that "comfort zone" and letting the author draw you into the tale.

Print media will never die just as distance learning is not a viable alternative for higher education. People like the feel of a paper book and although e-books may be popular for some people (like business travelers), most people don't want to take their computer down to the beach or up into the mountains. I hate even reading news articles on the computer monitor; I often print them off and read a hard copy.

I think that professional journals and other business publications are more likely to see higher useage in an e-book or e-journal format, but I think that the public generally doesn't want them.

Originally posted by Tamerlane
e-Books pale in comparison to the printed versions. I remember reading Jurgen on the recommendation of fable. And it was awful, (reading on screen, book was very good). Its horrible and without the ability to bookmark, made things rather difficult scrolling down. I wouldn't be surprised if its damaging for the eyes too, plus unless one has a sofa placed next to the computer its not very comforting. One of the joys of reading is getting into that "comfort zone" and letting the author draw you into the tale.

Exactly, plus if you enjoy reading in bed.... you can't exactly curl up with your computer while prostrate beneath the covers.

IMO....E-books and computer-related activities generally occupy a different sphere of past-times. I can't really see the one eliminating the other......

Are books slowly becoming a thing of the past? Probably. It seems technology is inexorably marching fowards and I see fewer and fewer people taking the time to actually sit down and read. Newspapers are already taking a hit on readership. The internet has all the information the E generation needs.

Scayde and I have a modest library and read several books each month. We also encourage our children to read, but it is increasingly difficult with all of the electronic media available to them.

Books will not die. I read constantly, I am 15 years old. I do not own a computer, but I do own about a hundred books. I attempted to read The Divine Comedy on the computer once, but had to buy it. I also attempted to read someone or other's paper about incompleteness, but printed it out instead. I did not buy it because I did not understand the maths, and thought it would be a waste of money.
None of my friends really read regularly, but so far I have forced - 1984, Generation of Swine, The Great Shark Hunt and Mauve Gloves and Madmen, Clutter and Vine upon one of my friends, and some more gonzo, Godel Escher Bach and (Rusell's) Power and Why I am Not a Christian on another. Even if they never read anything again apart from Eng. Lang. set texts, they will be alright I think.

Why drink Shiraz, when gin is cheaper, more convenient, and gets you drunk quicker?

Originally posted by dragon wench
Exactly, plus if you enjoy reading in bed.... you can't exactly curl up with your computer while prostrate beneath the covers.

You can curl up with a PDA though

I personally don't see books being replaced by the electronic media, if only because virtual things are so very easy to lose, anyone who has had 6 months of coursework on a machine that has then decided to lose it can testify to that. My brother had a manuscript he has written, over 50'000 words gone in the blink of an eye, fortunately he had a hard copy.

I love buying and owning books, I love going back and reading novels, the electronic media is just not comparable in my eyes. I have a bookcase and several shelves filled with books and they chart a kind of evolution of being also, media on a hard disk isn't the same thing.

From a library stand point perhaps a central resource would be a good idea and cheaper, after all rates for library buildings are probably very expensive, having an online depository would surely be a good idea.