In this blog post, we will compare the pros and cons of e-books and paper books and explore whether e-books can replace paper books.
In the 15th century, German inventor Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press, which is considered one of the most important inventions in human history. This technology enabled the mass production of paper books, and information that was previously available only to a limited number of people began to be disseminated to the general public. This invention triggered the Protestant Reformation and accelerated the transmission and accumulation of knowledge through paper, making a tremendous contribution to humanity. Paper books still play an important role in our daily lives today. We have been educated through paper books since we were young, and we still read books on general topics and specialized topics in paper books.
However, paper books, which have made great contributions to humanity, have recently faced a new challenge. The challenge is from e-books. E-books are digital publications consisting of text and images that can be created, published, and read on computers or other electronic devices. Everyone knows that the 21st century is the digital age. With the advancement of technology, we have entered the information age, and e-books have emerged, breaking the prejudice that books are always written on paper.
When e-books first appeared, many people expected them to replace paper books. This is because e-books have several advantages over paper books. First of all, e-books are small and easy to carry, and can be read anytime, anywhere. In particular, since several books can be stored on one device, it is much more convenient than paper books when carrying several books. Another advantage of e-books is that you can instantly search for words you don’t know or information you need while reading a book. Currently, e-books are linked to the Internet, making it possible to search for information that is not possible with paper books. In addition, you can easily purchase books online, and the font size can be adjusted freely, allowing users to read at a comfortable size. Because of these advantages, many predicted that paper books would disappear quickly in the early days.
However, looking at the current situation, it is easy to see that the prediction that paper books will disappear is wrong. In Korea, sales of e-book-only devices are still low, and the usage rate of e-books on tablets such as the iPad is also falling. This is because e-book devices still have limitations, and e-books have not yet fully replaced the advantages of paper books. First of all, e-books do not provide the texture of paper or the feeling of turning pages. Another disadvantage is that e-books are difficult to rent and do not provide the same sense of accomplishment as paper books. In addition, since e-books are used on electronic devices, they can cause discomfort or eye strain due to electromagnetic waves. Although e-books allow users to highlight text or take notes, they are still more inconvenient than paper books. Finally, there are also battery issues and copyright issues. Due to these disadvantages, e-books have not yet completely replaced paper books.
So, will e-books replace paper books forever? I don’t think so. Currently, e-books are used as a complement to paper books, but I see this state as a transitional period to becoming a substitute. There is a good chance that e-books will eventually replace paper books rather than complement them.
Looking at the situation in the United States, according to data released by the Pew Research Center in January, three out of ten American adults read e-books. Although the culture is still dominated by paper books, the proportion of e-book reading is steadily increasing. This is due to the increasing number of tablet and e-book device owners in the United States. About half of American adults own one or more tablets or dedicated devices. In addition, Amazon, which has a major impact on the American publishing industry, launched and developed the Kindle, an e-book-only device, and has made a significant contribution to the revitalization of e-books. The revitalization and development of the e-book device market can lead to the spread of e-books.
Unlike the US, the size of the e-book market in South Korea is $597 million, only 7% of that in the US. There is no company in South Korea that is as active in the e-book market as Amazon, and while book sales sites like Yes24 and Interpark Book, and applications like Google Play and T Store sell e-books, the e-book device market is still not active. Tablet usage is increasing, but not many people use them as e-book devices. Most people use tablets more for watching videos and playing games than for reading e-books. Also, the market for e-book devices has not been activated. However, if the e-book device market in Korea becomes as active as it is in the United States, e-books may gradually replace paper books in Korea as well.
Some of the reasons why the e-books mentioned above cannot replace paper books can be technically solved over time. First, eye strain caused by electromagnetic waves from e-book devices can be solved with the advancement of display technology. Amazon’s Kindle has already been praised for its e-ink display, which gives it a paper-like feel. In addition, the drawback that marking and taking notes in e-books is inconvenient compared to paper books can be solved with the development of touch and touch pen technology. With the development of this technology, the marking and taking notes functions may surpass paper books. The feel of turning pages is also becoming less different between e-books and paper books due to the development of touch technology. The Kindle Paperwhite, which is currently available on Amazon, has been well received for its many improvements to the shortcomings of e-books in terms of touch. As technology advances, e-book devices will become even better, and the proportion of e-books will increase.
Another reason why e-books can be a substitute for paper books is that they can be used in a variety of ways depending on the characteristics of the device. While paper books can only convey information through text and pictures, e-books can use videos, audio, and more to increase the efficiency of information delivery. These advantages of e-books can be especially useful in the education field. In fact, several studies have shown that e-books have a greater impact on children’s understanding of stories and creativity than paper books. There is also research that e-books are an effective tool for improving reading skills in middle school students. As such, e-books are beneficial for educational activities, and this effect will only grow as technology advances. Therefore, there is every possibility that all students will be using e-books to take classes in the future.
In conclusion, e-books are currently used as a complement to paper books, but they will not remain as a complement forever. Looking at the webtoon market, which has grown significantly today, the proportion of people who read webtoons is increasing compared to comic books, and comic books are gradually being phased out. Similarly, e-books are currently in the transition stage of becoming a substitute for paper books, and one day they will completely replace paper books. Although the e-book and e-book device markets are still small in Korea compared to the United States, the disadvantages of e-books are disappearing as technology advances. If e-books can be used in more diverse ways than paper books, the future of e-books replacing paper books will be closer.
