Ebooks, Real Books, the Great Debate (and Why Do We Hate?)
Once upon a time, I hated ebooks.
I will note that this was before I'd read a single ebook. Reserving judgment has not always been one of my strong points. Other things I once hated without understanding them include the Beatles (!), math, rap music, and the state of Texas. Needless to say, my stance on all of these things has drastically changed with increased exposure to them.
I was still ambivalent about ebooks a year ago when I asked for a kindle for my birthday. My reasoning behind this request was that, first, I'm going to college soon and I won't be able to take many books with me. In addition, my plans for life include overseas missions, a lifestyle that's not conducive to dragging many belongings around. A kindle enables me to have all my favorite books with me, taking up about as much space as a small notepad.
There are other benefits as well. Let's say I'm intrigued by a book, but am uncertain about spending 15+ dollars to give it a try when I might not like it. (Note: every book represents intense labor on the author's part and is definitely worth 15+ dollars. However, I am a grocery cashier. I can't afford to buy a brand-new paperback of every book that interests me.) The affordability of ebooks has enabled me to read some incredible books that I might never have otherwise given a chance, like A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr and Shard and Shield by Laura VanArendonk Baugh. And if a book I read on kindle isn't great, I don't feel guilty about buying it. After all, I spend three dollars on lunch from my store's deli without thinking much of it-- surely even a mediocre book is a worthier use of that money.
So am I totally sold on ebooks? No, not really. I can definitely understand their appeal. But for one thing, I think it's unfair that authors slave away and pour their soul into their writing and we then expect them to give it away for practically nothing. I still would greatly prefer to buy new paperbacks whenever possible, partly to ensure the authors are getting their due.
But there's more to it than that. I know this is the cliche statement of every paperback stickler in the great debate, but there really is nothing like reading a real book. The smell of paper, the sound and feel of turning the pages-- physical books engage with your senses in a way an ebook can never replicate. Plus, I love rereading my favorite scenes or sections from books, something that's much more difficult in a digital format. Paperbacks can be, in the words of Severus Snape, "Opened at will and perused at leisure." Ebooks expect you to read from cover to cover and never deviate from this linear approach.
In conclusion, I don't hate ebooks anymore. Hatred of any kind usually arises from ignorance, and the better you understand something the more difficult it is to hate it-- unless the object of hatred is legitimately evil, which ebooks certainly are not. They are no substitute for physical books, but they are convenient and affordable, especially when it comes to trying out new authors. So why did I once hate ebooks? I think a couple of my favorite movies can shed some light on the issue.
"You always fear what you don't understand." (Carmine Falconey, Batman Begins)
"Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate." (Yoda, Star Wars)
My hatred of ebooks, which I did not understand, was rooted in fear. I saw a new technology coming along to replace my beloved books. The thought of this happening made me deeply afraid and angry, and in my fear and anger I lashed out at the object that caused them-- unfairly. It makes me wonder how much of the hatred in the world comes from people being afraid and ashamed to admit it, and thus taking out their fear and anger on an undeserving scapegoat.
The Bible has the answer to this, as to all of life's issues:
"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. ...There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 3:9-11, 4:18-21)
Tell me what you think: What's your opinion on ebooks? Are there any things you've been too quick to judge and later changed your mind about?
