I have seen the light and become an eBook reader– with a caveat
Can you imagine a tent revival where the worship leader isn’t talkin’ religion or salvation, but testifying rather of the wonders of eBook readers (Nook, Kindle, iPad, etc). I can.
I was reading a post by Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, about how he often or sometimes encounters a person who says, (paraphrasing) “I will never give into an eBook reader”. I was one of those people, walking around like a dork (not that all people with books are dorks, just me lol) with my book…er books rather, in my hands to try to catch a page or two at work during lunch, or while at a restaurant for a nice dinner alone, or in the car on a family drive. But always at some point I get absolutely annoyed with the having to tote my supply of reading around (magazines included), so eventually I abandon the very idea of trying to read. It’s terrible, I know.
So recently I gave it a shot in a small way via my iPhone and I’m hooked! From this day forth, as long as it is possible to purchase a book that I want to read electronically, eBook is the direction in which I’ll be heading.
For the record, however, I don’t advocate in the slightest that a person strictly use eBooks. First it’s just not practical (and probably not possible), and secondly I too still share a certain sentimentality towards owning and turning actual pages. I love the smell of a new and old book. More importantly I love the satisfaction of having gotten what I needed from a book and then being able to place it on my shelf as if I earned an award (I won’t apologize about that last part). More importantly, should one day this whole innernets thing-a-ma-bob be given the old heave-ho–either temporarily or permanently as we know it–I want to have an arsenal of knowledge physically at my disposal without having to plug it in, back it up or otherwise. All in all, I like eBooks. I know what I’m saying isn’t convincing, but Mr. Hyatt also posted these quotes:
- In 1442, “I will never get used to a book. It doesn’t feel right. I just love the experience of unrolling a scroll and the beauty of hand-written words.” Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type and the mechanical printing press in 1439.
- In 1881, “I will never convert to electric lights. It just isn’t natural. I love the smell of candles and the flickering of the light.” Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879.
- In 1916, “I will never buy an automobile. It’s too dangerous. I just love of the feel of a buggy and the sound of the horse’s hoofs against the road.” Henry Ford began mass producing cars in 1914.
At the same time…
(Electricity, or should I say oil is the consumate and quintessential Achilles Heel of this technological and hyper-globalization age. To a room of tech people, I can imagine them screaming, pulling out their hair and covering their ears in ardent displeasure of two words “energy crisis”. But I say this to share with you a gut feeling I have been unable to shake to this day about technology and life as Western dweller, period. In spite of how much I like technology I also feel it’s naive or better yet, foolish to push technological growth continually in the face of finite resources without beginning to make some drastic modifications in the wake of this growing energy bubble…maybe crisis even (too early?). I think limits are good and exercising such limits in one’s personal life can go a long way. Gadgets are great, but in moderation and strict practicality, I think. Saying “No!” to one’s self is powerful and salvific in terms of one’s livelihood, and the collective whole of a people, land or country (preaching to myself).
I think this is a hot topic, I bet, but nevertheless true and only stands to reason, yes? Is not a greater conscientiousness and energy awareness in the tech industry the call of the day? (Notice I said, “greater”. Good things have been happening in regards to energy use and technology. I’m asking for more is all.) There is a certain truth in the fiction of those histrionic pre and post-apocalyptic theme movies about man’s inability to maintain, moderate, and sustain it’s own technological inventions. The sheer power and force with which the human systems of life, particularly in the West and more recently the East (China) are, in my mind, unbridled. I think it’s what made the economic crash of 2008 absolutely terrifying.
While it’s growth that sustains us, it’s growth that hurts us, unless we increase our efforts in research of alternative means of energy to sustain some semblance of our present way of life. I don’t mean to be bleak or a Debbie downer, and certainly nothing in the ballpark of a doomsday-er about this present age. Moreover I don’t want to be too political on this blog, but it almost goes without saying that at some point, the law of thermodynamics will rear it’s head and tell us something: Infinite growth in the face of finite resources spells… you be the judge. I am still researching as well as educating myself on this topic to find ways in which I can live a low-impact lifestyle.)
