Creationism vs Evolution: The E-volution of the Book in the Digital Age

The book is such an important piece to the evolution of man as it has been one of the most basic tools for expanding the human mind with new knowledge, experiences, and imaginative stories. As we move further into the digital age, the book has maintained its hold on man as a dominant tool for learning and entertainment. Recently though, some changes have taken place that may effect this medium in terms of how man will receive the written words from books. These changes may be good or bad, but that's for you to decide.

One of the largest changes in the world of books has been the invention of eReaders. These new eReader devices, such as the Amazon Kindle (or even iPad), allow users to download thousands of books into a handheld, easy on the eyes, reading device that can be taken anywhere. So now it's really possible to carry your whole library to the coffee shop and read anything from your collection or just download the newest New York Times bestseller over the coffee shop wireless. A shocking statistic came out recently where Amazon, one of the largest sellers of books on the planet, declared that more ebooks were sold than regular books. That's a pretty fundamental shift.

A further development comes in the form of E-Books or "enriched" books. This carries the same concept as a book viewed on an eReader but with additional interactive media included. This media could be interviews with the author, videos and sound effects, or even switching to an audio version when having to drive somewhere. Consider a book on WWII including actual news reels from the War before each chapter. Or a fictional story based in a far off land with sound effects of a great battle taking place. Or maybe a woman screaming during an intense part of a thriller! The possibilities are literally endless.

This does pose the question of where the traditional book form is headed. Will new technologies become a supplement to paper books or become the new dominant distribution method? Will the ink-and-paper book always be a part of our lives or are we seeing the end of something that has been around for centuries? There are some sad elements in this change as few can argue the enjoyment of reading from the actual paper version.The smell of the paper and ink, the feel of the pages on your fingers, the beauty and quiet comfort of a room full of stocked bookshelves. One must also consider the element of digital piracy if the book industry moves towards being e-based. Remember that thing we used to call the Album?

Benefits though allow for many more opportunities for author's to tell their story through different technologies. Many authors are already delving into the digital realm with incredible interactive websites and social media elements to help readers learn about, experience, purchase, and discuss the paper versions of books. Take for example the upcoming release of Mark Laxer's new novel, The Monkey Bible, complete with a musical soundtrack and a website full of media and links to social networks where users can further discuss and become a part of Mark's interesting take creationism vs evolution. One last benefit to consider is the environment. Digital releases are healthier for the Earth's environment as less paper will be needed and distribution will be extremely simplified.

So as we all witness this new fundamental shift to the evolution of man and how we experience the all-important book, keep in mind the good and the bad as you form your opinion on new media opportunities. Maybe one day, even we may evolve into digital forms!