New tech can’t replace original

January 26, 2012 by Amanda Manago 

E-readers don’t stand up against the look and feel of real books

The 21st century is all about technology and while we’ve come a long ways, many innovations are still on the way. Everybody is using something electronic these days. A laptop, television, cell phones, iPods and so many others come to mind.

I like using technology to get my work done. If I did not have the Internet I would be buried in dictionaries and encyclopedias. Not only that, but I would constantly be borrowing someone’s laptop or computer to do my online homework. There are some gadgets that do bother me, though. The ones that bug me the most are the Nooks, Kindles and other E-readers that have become so prevalent recently.

I have wandered around campus enough to notice that people aren’t really in touch with their reading side. I see people on their phones reading things, but Facebook and blogs don’t really count. I’ve only seen a handful of people carrying around a book. Not a textbook, mind you, but an actual book that they are reading for enjoyment and not for an assignment.

I’ll be waiting for my class to start and the majority of the people around me are on their phones or their laptops. In my classes I have yet to see someone crack open a book that isn’t required for the class. What ever happened to reading for fun?

I don’t get what’s so great about the Nook or Kindle or any of the others. When I read, I like to turn the page, not press a button. If I wanted to press a button, I would have gotten on my laptop and read about peoples’ lives on Facebook or gone on Google and read about other nonsense. I like the feeling that I get thumbing through a book. With the Nook or Kindle, all you have is this thin, square thing with buttons.

Not only are Nooks and Kindles taking over books, but one of the greatest bookstores was closed down because of people’s increased reliance on such gadgets. Borders was an all-time favorite place of mine where I could get the newest novels. They, along with Barnes & Noble, were battling for customers. They were also battling against Amazon, since people find the Internet a convenient place to shop.

I used to get so many books from that place that my arms would be screaming by the time I was done shopping. The last time I walked through the doors of Borders, it was in its final week. Shelves were empty and one corner of the place held all the books that were left. Borders had to sell everything and with that, my favorite bookstore was closed down.

I do own a Nook and I know I’m bashing on it, but it does come in handy for some things. Nooks and Kindles are kind of like a laptop, only smaller. They do have Internet so anyone can access to it, even if it’s just for Facebook.

They also can carry textbooks. No more having to deal with the heaviness of those paper bricks. Not only that, but it saves room. I own so many books that space is becoming tight. By owning a Nook it’s like having your own personal library. Even though you still need to buy the books, and you miss out on the smell and feel of a brand new book, Nooks and Kindles have a small upside.

Technology is great for some things. There are some things, though, that technology can’t take the place of, and a big one is books. Nobody says “I’m going to hit the Nook.” Some things can simply never be replaced.