1. Written Language
2. Stylus
3. Ink
4. Paper
5. Binding
6. Movable Type
7. Printing Presses
8. Internet: Nobody will deny that computers and other digital technologies left a major imprint on the publishing world, but the internet’s popularity surge changed it even more. Blogging especially provided many promising authors a forum in which to share their ideas, reaching a much broader audience than traditional analog outlets. It opened them up to more networking conduits than before as well, and online writing forums still bring together creators worldwide wanting to better hone their skills. Niche and/or underground mediums and genres such as comics, zines and fanfiction received a pixilated makeover and currently thrive much closer to the mainstream than they once did. Along with text messaging, chat speak led to a major evolution in language, spawning a vernacular consisting most visibly of abbreviations, acronyms and ironic misspellings. Brand new mediums such as webcomics and Twitter novels both sprang up as a direct result of the internet’s prolificacy.
9. Ebook Readers: By this point, both gadget buffs and their Luddite counterparts are largely sick of hearing about whether or not ebook readers will render traditional books obsolete. Time, obviously, will reveal the truth. Regardless, devices such as the Kindle, Nook and Readers tantalize audiences who delight in carrying multiple books in one sleek package. For the ardent bibliophile, investing in an ebook reader might actually prove an economical decision from both financial and spatial perspectives. Many nonfiction and fiction works come at a significant discount when bought in a digital format, with most public domain classics available completely gratis. If nothing else, less paper laying around reduces one’s risk of a fire…
10. Tablet Computers: The next stage in computing possesses the same perks as an ebook reader, but expands upon them for a wholly different experience. iPads are probably the first tablet computers everyone thinks about thanks to aggressive marketing and avowed Apple fanatics, but they are by no means alone out there. Unlike ebook readers, these seriously cool gadgets incorporate almost all the hallmarks of home computing. This allows for a far higher degree of interactivity with texts — an absolutely amazing prospect whose potential has yet to be even a fraction explored so far.
Hat Tip: Bill Crider
When the printing press was invented, for the first time, books were able to be mass-produced. Allowing the common people the luxury that was previously only available to the rich.
ReplyDeleteThis is why, on Thanksgiving, when we have our yearly discussion at the table regarding what each individual family member or guest is thankful for, I always say the man who invented the printing press.
Hi Janet - this is a good list, but what about audiobooks? I never go anywhere in my car without an audiobook!
ReplyDeleteBTW, great to see you in Bethesda (and thank you to Ian Rankin and Lisa Scottoline, who kept me company during my 10-hour drive from Boston to Malice, and my 5-hour drive home to NY).