I often find people firmly taking a stance to either be completely digital, or to remain firmly rooted in paper. Personally, I enjoy having options. Recently my mother was interested in a few recipes in one of my magazines. I told her to rip them out knowing that if I also wanted the recipes I could simply take a photo and retain my own digital copy. Easy!
One of the best things about having so many things available in print and in electronic formats are the options. For example, sometimes I prefer to use paper recipes when I’m going to be messy, or space is tight, so I don’t have to worry about propping up my tablet and keeping it clean. Other times, I love being able to prop up my iPad to read the recipe, look things up, and access its entertainment options while I’m cooking.
I love my ereader and read almost exclusively on it, but I had a real pang for a paper book when I accidentally dropped my device on the floor last week. I was nearing the end of the book* and was trying to read a few more pages while getting ready for work when the ereader slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor.
No big deal, I thought picking it up for a closer inspection. I knew it was bad when I couldn’t force a restart and then the screen went all funny. *sigh* This just doesn’t happen with paper books. Now I’m making do with my iPad with its too bright screen, large size, and old fashioned books until I can get the ereader repaired or replaced.
For me, having grown up in the middle of the transition from analog to digital, I enjoy both formats for different things. I still love taking notes on paper and scribbling things in notebooks. I find that pen and paper is more flexible than any app or stylus I’ve used so far. On the other hand, I also love the convenience of being able to type a few things in my smartphone when I’m on the go. It’s all about having choices, convenience, and understanding preferences.
*Purity by Jonathan Franzen (Great read! I really enjoyed it.)
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