Books have existed for centuries, yet it only took less than two decades for them to become overshadowed by modern digital platforms. People would rather read Kindle or watch films than pick up an old paperback, finding they need to carry books around when they simply can access a whole library from their phone.
The fact that eBooks, like online Kindle, are cheaper or even free than traditional books is what adds to this decline. The bigger fact here, however, is that reading print books comes with more benefits than electronic literature. We will dive into the reasons why people should continue reading printed literature, never forgetting this traditional way of learning.
Brain Function
Reading books in your hand allows you to subconsciously track the information by page and keep your attention going. This allows your brain to increase activity as opposed to an e-book, whereas one can simply type in the information to find the page.
The reliance on technology has both served as a con to the development of the human brain, where a person would rely on the feature to do the work for them, indirectly making them less productive. Keeping track of the information you learned by yourself is beneficial, as seen in the test performances of students who studied using print books, as opposed to students who studied with eBooks.
Sometimes, it is the simpler and traditional method that is the best way to learn. eBooks and digital platforms can be full of links or ads, which can distract the reader from the main point, as opposed to a classic textbook. Also, many studies have shown electronic devices can be distracting to younger people, who find them more entertaining than informative.
Books have always been the traditional method of learning and sharing knowledge, with the human brain obtaining their information throughout history. In this sense, the digital age cannot fully alter the way people learn, due to the many years of knowledge coming from printed books.
Health Benefits
Reading print books is much better for your eyes than reading a bright screen. Today, humans are on their phones from morning to night, so it is advantageous to give your eyes a rest from all the digital platforms that surround us. Not only do books lack the screen that can strain your eyes, but they allow you to move your vision from top to bottom and left to right; this exercise for your eyes can improve vision. Also, as many people tend to read at night, it is better they stick with print books, as tablet glare can hurt your eyes in the reduced light. In fact, reading print helps you sleep better, as opposed to having wireless waves around you at night.
Personal Salvation
Carrying books with you can be tedious and heavy, but the fact that books do not damage easily from a fall is an advantage you cannot ignore. People have complained about their tablet or smartphone falling and cracking, as they are often used on the move. With books, they can easily survive a fall from the stairs or being stepped on by accident and still be readable. Not only that, but books are also recyclable and help save the environment.
Books have always been around and with all the advantages they have for people, they should not disappear anytime soon. Hopefully, people will continue to publish more books and market them to the public more effectively than before, maintaining the print book in the digital age.
Babak Eslami | Staff Writer
