Life used to be pretty smooth but slow indeed in the days gone by before the advent of technology brought about an unprecedented change in the day-to-day life of human beings. Almost each and everything got affected. If all things are change-touched, how can certain human habits remain aloof? Reading, a popular habit with people, underwent a tremendous change in the same way. A book in its original physical form, that once made a must-have companion for everyone, now ceases to be one. The reason is no other than its transition from the physical form to virtual one.
Ever since the onset of electronic devices, the way of reading has also undergone a remarkable transformation. Compared with the conventional paper reading method, electronic reading in modern times provides a brand-new experience.
Reading through paper or through virtual mode has at times been a confused activity for many. Knowing the demarcation between the two modes is a must. There are some marked differences between paper reading and e-reading, as well as their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
To start with, reading on paper offers a unique feeling and experience. Pick up a book, flip it open and feel the texture of the thin paper and the rustling of the pages in a way that no electronic device can provide. These paper books develop a sense of intimacy, attachment and warmth that can help create a quiet reading ambience. At the same time, the physical presence of books also makes it easier to focus on reading, avoiding various distractions on electronic devices, such as push notifications, social media, etc.
Some predicaments are there in paper reading. Paper books are often bulky, inconvenient to carry, and require surplus space for storage and organization. Additionally, acquiring print books can take much time and effort, especially for geographically constrained readers. That apart, the production of paper books also consumes a lot of paper and resources, which puts a certain amount of pressure on the environment.
In contrast, e-reading offers a bouquet of unique advantages. First, the portability of electronic reading devices is very high. Whether using e-book readers, tablets or smartphones, we carry tons of virtual books with us wherever we go.
To speak of convenience, it is the travellers’ and those who work on the go that get benefitted the most. In addition, electronic reading also provides personalized options such as font size adjustment, backlight, and bookmark functions, making reading more comfortable and flexible. One remarkable point is that e-reading also helps to reduce resource consumption and environmental burden. Compared with paper books, e-books do not require resources such as paper, printing, and logistics, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, e-books can be stored in the cloud or on the device, avoiding taking up too much physical space.
Benefits apart, e-reading has some issues too. Prolonged use of electronic devices may cause eye fatigue, and light reflection from the screen of an electronic device may spoil the entire reading experience. Besides, electronic devices are susceptible to interruptions such as low battery, system crashes, viruses or failure to connect to the Internet, which may interrupt the reading process.
Given all this, paper reading and electronic reading each have their own unique features and advantages. Paper reading offers a more personal and traditional experience and helps create a focused reading environment but it is relatively less convenient to carry and acquire. E-reading is highly portable and flexible while reducing resource consumption but prolonged use of electronic devices can be uncomfortable for the eyes and easily disturbed by technical issues. So, choosing one in between paper reading and electronic reading can be weighed as per one’s own preferences, need and environment in order to achieve a healthy and better reading experience. The survival of paper reading depends on as long as resources are accessible and available in nature and are affordable as well but thereafter electronic reading stands a fair chance to thrive and stay forever.
The writer is based in Andal, West Bengal. ahtesh.ahmad@gmail.com