The debate on electronic versus paper reading would seem to be a simple, at first glance: do people have a more difficult or an easier time in reading from a screen? But in fact there are a number of related questions about the process of reading--the comprehension and "active engagement," as I put it above, with the text, which are affected by the difference in medium. In particular, these experts seem agreed that there is a tendency to distraction and a dramatically shortened attention span that attends reading from a screen. This is partially an effect of our experience of reading hypertext, on sites like the NY Times or Wikipedia or whatnot, which in knowledge is always produced in small, quickly consumable segments. But a novel or a book of philosophy requires something quite different.
Check it out:
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/does-the-brain-like-e-books/
I would be curious to hear your opinions, particularly since probably most of you have grown up in this digital environment ...
8 comments:
Interesting subject, Professor. I, myself had been wondering why it was so hard for me to read electronic writing. Now I know that it's not just me.
While it's true that a person reading from a screen has a short attention span (regardung what he is reading), the same can be said about a child who has just learned to read. That child does not have much experience in reading, and likewise, we are not as used to reading from screens as we are to reading from paper. From my own experience, I can say that I can focus more on reading on the screen now than when I had first started out. So a main factor, then, is how well one is accustomed to a certain medium.
I also think that the fact that the computer screen emits light-unlike the pages of a book-has an effect on readers. (If you don't beleive this, turn on the computer in a dark room and see how much it brightens the room. A book, of course, will not have the same effect.) The light slightly strains the brain (I have a headache as i am writing this) so it is harder to concentrate on the text. Usually, the reader takes in whatever he reads only for a paragraph. when a new paragraph begins, the reader will have lost track of what he had read in the previous paragraph. Thus, he will understand specific points from the text, but will fail to gain a general understanding of the topic. This is not ideal for philosophical readings that require deep thought.
The previous paragraph is not true for those who are used to electronic reading, as I mentioned in the one before it.Bottom line:
practice makes perfect
I remember hearing my father one night complain about his vision as a result of the contrast of the computer light to the normal lighting in the room. At the time I just shrugged it off thinking to myself “He just dislikes new technology…” And at times he seems that way but my view on the constant use of reading technology to read has changed since I’ve come to Fordham. I now have some background scientific information about the reasons that these tools can be so damaging. It is hard to glare at a digital screen for a 20 page reading. The new use of Blackboard has killed me in so many of my classes because I am assigned long readings. I don’t want to waste 20+pages of paper to print it yet at the same time my eyes struggle to read the text after a few pages of reading. Overall I don’t feel as if I grasp the full concept of the text when it is not on paper in front of me. I sound very old fashioned but I am against this whole technological reading revolution.
I definitely think that in some instances, being able to quickly refer to the internet for information is great; however, I'd much rather read a book/article in print. It allows me to highlight, write in margins, underline, and put "post-its" where I find necessary. The instances where I prefer the internet over a book is when I'm looking up a definition (www.webster.com!). Besides this quick type of reference, I prefer not to read on the computer screen. I feel the strain on my eyes from the screen, and a lack of interaction with the material hinder me from being able to absorb the material I read in the most efficient manner.
Personally, I hate technology and pretty much everything it has to offer. Obviously it has made our lives easier in many ways especially the internet with access to instant information all of the time, but people mostly in my generation have become reliant on these modern day advances. I cannot stand being on a computer for more than an twenty minutes at a time without getting an instant headache. Also things like facebook and twitter and what ever else people use become their lives. My roomates can spend any freetime they have on facebook and easily kill a few hours just "creeping." This is why I do not have a facebook, I find it unnecessary to my life and I would much rather be making something of my time, thats just me, I grew up in a town where my friends and I have more fun doing things outside or being active in general, not watching tv or on a computer.
This whole topic of reading electronically irks me. If this is what the new generation will come to as far as advances I will have a lot of trouble adjusting, infact I would never read any new books if they were only electronic, I would have to read anything in print only because it is the only way I can read without getting an instant headache. I even have trouble just reading the blogs posted because it is on a screen. I do not know what the difference is but there is a deffinite difference between paper and screen and I know this because I can mentally feel it.
All in all its bothers me to know that people really would consider this type of reading because I personally find it useless and annoying. Between cell phones and texting and facebook and myspace, kids are starting to be come less dependant on their own brain power which could be a serious problem for the future.
I agree with the class that online and/or digital reading is a huge pain. In fact, last year my school gave me a free online subscription to a trade publication, but I went ahead and purchased a print subscription anyway. I hate reading from the computer and I cannot help but be distracted. Its really hard to explain but reading off of a screen gives me an almost emotional reaction. My mind refuses to do it.
I do agree that with time and practice one can learn to read from a screen, but I wonder why you would bother? Books are readily available and have so much to offer that digital sources do not. A book can be like art, while a digital source is merely numbers and letters. While a book can stir multiple of your senses (the smell, feel of the paper, the beauty of the book), digital print is entirely visual. I need more than that to be intrigued.
Its pretty ironic that you posted this. My friend was just saying how he wanted to buy one of those things "e-books." Ever since they first came out I haven't seen why people would want it.
When professors put up .pdf files online I always print them out because I find it too difficult to read on the computer. If I am reading a website I don't have a problem, it is only when something is long and requires real thinking that I need to print it out.
Online texts can be a huge asset though. In my astronomy class for example, the textbook was provided online so we could either use that or go out and spend $120 on a physical book. In this case I've tried my best to focus on the work online, but it is definitely harder than having the book in front of you.
This is a great blog, being as I was not even aware of this new "electronic reading" ordeal. I mean, we already have books on tape, books on itunes, and paperback books. I dont see a problem with any of these, except their convenience. The major problem I find with electronic books is how INCONVENIENT they are. Most people already carry around their cell phone, their Ipod, their laptops, textbooks and notebooks; so do we really need another portable electronic device to have to charge and waste money on? And it seems we all agree on the possibility of health and eyesight problems that could arise from staring at a white screen for an hour or two. Books are easy, books are cheap, and books are traditional. I believe that no matter how the world of technology grows around us, books will never go out of style.
Certainly there are physiological reasons for the difficulties with ebooks, and I think many of you have touched on them. Nick, you are really in a world of pain, it sounds like. Thanks for putting up with the blog! And Julian, you know, that paper can be recycled.
All that being said, I think all of you missed the point. The point is not merely that reading a lighted text, as Kaiser notes, is difficult and hard on your eyes. The point is also, and perhaps more importantly, that e-texts are generally continually interrupted. For example, if as some suggest, e-texts shall integrate web pages and videos, audio files, etc., than the experience of reading will be beset with a number of different types of cognitive experiences, and the extended reflection that characterizes prolonged reading will be lost. The issue is, what effects is the medium having on the way that we think.
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