by Meghna Shanker
Let’s talk books! As a reader myself there are numerous books and genres for one to find. Books have been around since 500 BC, first on clay tablets, then on papyrus scrolls and then finally head written on paper Book Evolution, it wasn’t till the 90s that ebooks became a thing. Now don’t get me wrong, E-books have a lot of positive things about them like: light weight, easy access, and one of my favorite the books never get bent out of shape or broken at the spin.
But with a positive there is almost always a negative side to things. In this article E-books negatively impact the way we absorb information talks about the impact of e-books have on information absorption, suggesting that they may have negative effects compared to traditional print books. It discusses research findings indicating that readers comprehend and retain information better when reading from print rather than digital formats, attributing this to factors such as distractions from screens and reduced spatial awareness of digital texts. The author also mentions concerns about the potential long-term implications of digital reading on cognitive processes and the development of critical thinking skills. Overall, the article raises questions about the efficacy of e-books as a primary medium for absorbing information and suggests a need for further investigation into their effects on reading comprehension and learning outcomes.
One of the biggest drawbacks of ebooks is the potential for digital distractions. Unlike traditional books, which offer a focused reading experience, ebooks come with a host of distractions built-in. From notifications popping up on your device to the temptation to check social media or emails, it's easy to lose focus and become immersed in the digital noise rather than the text at hand. This constant interruption can lead to decreased comprehension and retention of the material. These distractions create opening for the reader to leave the ebook and give their attention elsewhere. Along with distractions, there comes a reminder to return to the task at hand. For the case of physical books, the ability to see and touch the book serves as a reminder that I still need to continue or finish reading. In the case of ebooks, there are more digital distractions outside of the ebook that will keep the readers attention and not give them the chance to realize that they need to continue reading.
Another downside to ebooks is that reading on electronic devices for extended periods can cause eye strain and discomfort. Unlike printed books, which use reflective light, ebooks emit light directly into the eyes, which can lead to fatigue and even headaches. Fatigue and headaches will break the readers focus and comprehension of the content be read. Additionally, the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt sleep patterns, making it harder for readers to get a restful night's sleep after late-night reading sessions. Lack of sleep will also hinder the reader from focusing on the content being read, which inturn reduces the readers comprehension level of the informations. These causes generally lead to the reader having to either reread the information or to just missout on the information. This slows down or reduces the readers comprehension speed or level.
There's something special about holding a physical book in your hands—the texture of the pages, the smell of the paper, the weight of the book itself. Ebooks, while convenient, lack this tactile experience, which can diminish the emotional connection readers have with the material. Studies have shown that people often have a stronger emotional attachment to physical books and are more likely to remember content when reading from a printed page. Generally people reading a book fall into a state of focus as they immerse themselves into the contents of a book, but this is much harder to accomplish with an ebook. The way a book is held helps stimulate your brain in a way to put your focus on the object at hand.
In today's digital age, we're constantly bombarded with information from screens—whether it's our smartphones, computers, or tablets. Nowadays going a whole day without using or seeing a digital device is almost impossible. The last thing many people want to do in their leisure time is stare at another screen to read a book. Ebooks contribute to this sense of digital fatigue, making it harder for readers to disconnect from technology and unwind with a good book. There needs to be a break from staring at a screen to help the eyes and mind rest from the now endless stream of information. A book is a good way to do this as it is a single stream of information that is detached from the outside world of information. It provides an escape way for ones brain from the world of endless information.
Ebooks often come with digital rights management (DRM) restrictions that limit how readers can access and share content. This can raise concerns about privacy and ownership, as readers may feel like they don't truly own the books they've purchased. In the case of a physical book, you are the owner of that copy of the book while the author is the owner of the content within that book. You are able to share the book by either lending or selling the book to whoever you choose. You are not limited to sharing with certain individuals, which is the case of ebooks. In the case of ebooks, only certain books maybe shared and they can only be shared with users of the same application. This is a hassle for something as simple as sharing a book. Additionally, there's the risk of data collection by ebook platforms, which may track reading habits and use this information for targeted advertising or other purposes. The only information being collected when it comes to sharing a physical book is who gave it to who and for how long they have had it.
This was a really informative article about a topic I didn't know much about. Personally I prefer paper books unless it's just an audio book. I knew that screens caused eye strain but I didn't think about your other arguments until reading this. I also love the smell of a book when reading! -Maren Franklin
I believe that reading a physical book is a lot more beneficial to the reader but I didn't realize that there was science to back this up. I relate to the difficulty absorbing information when the text is digital, especially on kindle. I used to borrow my dad's kindle on vacation because I would run through the books I brought too quickly. The reading experience was completely different and I enjoyed the books I read physically much more than those I read digitally.
I never would have thought there would be much of a downside to E-Books compared to regular books! I do find myself gravitating more towards paper books since I can leave written annotations in those, but I understand the convenience of E-Books. With the convenience comes all the downsides you discuss, though, which makes me think it's likely not worth it.
-Hanna
I will fully admit that I don't read much, so I had never really considered that there could be many significant differences between reading an e-book and reading a physical book. I think pointing out these differences could possibly open up a conversation on our perceptions and attitudes towards digitized media vs. more physical and experiential media and entertainment.
I find it very interesting that E-books can have a negative impact on how we take in information. I always thought that as long as you were reading something it was good for you. I wonder if this has the same effect when we are reading anything on our computers. I've always preferred to read my school textbooks digitally versus a hard copy.