Technological Advances
I love new technologies, new tools and toys, new gadgets and widgets. I spend more time at a computer than pretty much anywhere. And yet, what technology do I keep promoting and marvelling over? Books.
Books are amazing tools. You don’t have to worry about incompatible operating systems. I’ve never had a book crash on me while using it. You can drop them in the bath and not worry about electricuting yourself or destroying the book. (Ask my wife. She drops books in the tub regularly. No, not on purpose.)
Which is why I was particularly amused by today’s Penny Arcade.

March 10th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Josh:
I like the feel of a book in my hands. It helps bring the words to life. You can sit, stand, recline or, lay on the floor with a book. Certain books bring comfort.
Love,
Darlene (Mom)
March 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Books, books, books! That’s why we call those institutions LIBRAries and BIBLIOtecas
March 10th, 2009 at 10:36 am
That’s why they were initially called libraries, but the word “library” has changed in that it no longer means a collection of just (or primarily) books. I’m not a book fetishist by any stretch. I don’t think there’s anything magical or mystical about books. I just think they’re a better technology than anything that’s come along to replace them (so far). They’re amazing tools, durable, unencumbered by proprietary software or hardware, free from the threat of obsolescence, inexpensive to buy. It’s not that I don’t think they can be replaced, I just don’t think anything’s come along yet that replaces them.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Pish-tosh! What do you young whippersnappers (whopperswappers?) know about books…? Pish-tosh, I say!
March 19th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Well, you’ve certainly shot down my argument there.
March 19th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Logic and facts win every time…..