A while back, a pretty smart fellow developed some extremely innovative technology. It provided the fastest information processing power of its day. It was able to transmit information at speeds never before seen. It made obsolete a previous technology that had existed for centuries and relegated it to an obsolete art form.
Like most new technologies, it was perfected over time. Its speed of manufacture increased. More and more individuals were able to provide content to the technology, thus supplying exponentially more information. It's capacity improved so that the amount of information available within a fixed space increased by an order of magnitude over time.
Finally, the technology had become so effective and so efficient, it cost pennies to make and was available to every soul in the world. Today, it still contains more information in one square inch than any other technology on earth.
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| photo credit: jm3 |
Despite what your computer manufacturer tells you, most computer interfaces we interact with have a low visual resolution (i.e., dots per inch). A book can fit more dots in an inch than all but a few very powerful computer monitors. Until recently, a book was more portable than most computers. A book requires no power source. Books are far less expensive than any other image processing technology. Sharing a book with a friend is the oldest form of social media.
In addition, a book has a higher information resolution. That is, more relevant information is available in a smaller space or a shorter period of time. Start interfacing with computers and you have an operating system interface with all its cutesy icons and widgets between you and the information needed. Start surfing with a browser and you have the browser interface, access to the networks, and a search engine interface to navigate before you get to your desired information (if you do at all). (see Edward Tufte's books for more on this.)
Next time you're struggling to communicate with PowerPoint, or with a web page that won't load right, take a break. Open a book or newspaper or magazine and enjoy the highest visual and informational resolution of any device extant. You're eyes will thank you. Someday, e-books and advanced displays may surpass the printed word's advantages. For now, I'm shutting off my monitor to enjoy a good book.



