Few people will argue that the digital world isn't overpowering the physical one. Books, newspapers, magazines, everything that was once tangible has turned digital. With the rising popularity of e-readers, and now tablets, it's just a matter of time before the only thing in a student's backpack is their iPad.
There go all the worries we once had about heavy textbooks wreaking havoc on our backs. Instead of carrying around multiple hardcovers, we'll now have an app and a list of recent downloads. Spiral notebooks and three-ring binders will be replaced with another app. Homework will only be accepted via email. Maybe typing will start being taught at an earlier age, and penmanship will become less important.
For as long as man has existed, we've sought to improve things. To make our daily lives easier. These latest developments are just the natural progression and there is nothing wrong that. Right? Less resources wasted, less back pain down the line, less to loose track of, the list goes on. The price of such technology will only drop as the devices themselves become more popular. So what's the argument against such a digital way of life? A preservation of history? That's what museums are for. Right?
I just can't help but wonder if Fahrenheit 451 will have the same effect when read as a pdf. If we'll just keep loosing more and more in translation.
On the one hand you suggest that there's nothing wrong with progress; on the other, though, you anticipate a great loss. (=)
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