I recently finished moving halfway across the US for graduate school, beforehand coming to the conclusion all of my books needed to come along with me. As I trudged up and down the three flights of stairs between my apartment and the Uhaul with box after heavy box of books in my hands, the question of physical or digital copies was on my mind. Judging by the comments of the friends and family that helped me with the move, it was on their minds as well.
I’ll say up front I’m biased towards physical copies, as my need to drag along thirteen or so boxes packed full will attest (and my willingness to apologize each time during the move someone asked with heavy breath why I didn’t have a kindle, to which I replied, “I do”), but I’m not against digital copies by any means. They’re inherently cheaper, and the space savings are hard to beat. Whenever I go traveling I like to keep things minimalist, even more so when I’m backpacking or the like, so having the option of using a kindle is pretty much invaluable.
But there is something about holding a book in your hands and flipping the pages, feeling the smoothed grit of the paper. Not to mention I’m a sucker for cover art. I, at least in part, look at my collection of books displayed on the bookshelves as similar to prints displayed on the wall. Except books have the advantage of the stories related to their art being explicit, immersible by merely picking one up and having a read. That’s a precious thing. I’ll walk along my books and pick one up at random and read a few pages, just to revisit some of the memories. Some of these books had significant weight with how I perceive the world, whether from years past or more recent, and its always nice to revisit old friends.
At the end of the day, I purchase eBooks when the benefits of the format make it the best option, same with audio books. But if I like the book, I’ll try to buy the physical copy as well. If its financially viable, I think it’s a nice way to send money to the author, and a way to add another piece of art to my bookshelf. I recently finished The Raven by Ann Leckie on audio book and am looking forward to adding a copy on my shelves. Talking about the financial viability, that leads me to another thought.
In the future, digitization will only increase; the benefits are just too great. So, how does the practice of collecting physical objects change? With regards to science fiction, in a world where augmented or virtual reality allows for cheap and easy ways to overlay one’s world or visit another, often the cost of production is low enough that price is determined by other things: taste, stature, marketing, etc. In that scenario, physical collectors are often viewed as eccentrics, and the few tokens those of lesser means can obtain seen as valued, sentimental possessions. When talking about space travel, the increased scrutiny on every bit of mass in the cargo would drive such practices. Yet, a few precious bobbles or knick knacks or books are always taken. I think this points to what I’m getting at: there is inherent value in a tactile, physical object that no amount of technological progress can erase. Advancements might shift the balance, but the valuation is always there.
M. Weald
P.S. Perhaps foolish given that my graduate school bills loom large, but I backed the Brandon Sanderson Way of Kings kickstarter. Really looking forward to getting my hands on that leather bound copy. Also recently got a Peow cyberpunk comic from a completed kickstarter and enjoying it. I’ve thankfully had good luck with kickstarter of late.
M. Weald 