The definition of a book might soon change.
While we are all used to it's current definition as "a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)", advances in technology and increasing expectations from readers may converge to ensure that that definition no longer holds or, at best, is only partially true.
There's no denying that customers want to be in charge and have a say in all interactions they are a part of. One-way communication is just too passe. They want their foods tweaked a little, decide which channels to watch on TV, even decide who wins the next edition of American Idol. It'd be pretty dumb to assume, therefore, that they would be content reading a book without a part to play.
So imagine a situation where Snow White is warned that the apple may contain some poison. Or one where Thomas Friedman is grilled on his notions of a Flat World. All while reading the book.
Technology may just make that possible. Discussions are already happening through instant messaging and other collaborative software. With the emergence of the broadband and improvements in content delivery, it won't be too far away when the book is not just a static collection of words and pages but a dynamic discussion forum. Real time collaboration may make it possible for authors and readers to communicate and offer stories, plots and explanations tailored for the reader. If the book is indeed a source of knowledge, then such an incarnation of the book might indeed allow people to communicate and collaborate and put their minds together in the pursuit of knowledge. Ideas can be debated and discussed threadbare. Nuances can be emphasized.
Interactivity will be key. The book will indeed be a social lubricant.
Any thoughts?
While we are all used to it's current definition as "a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)", advances in technology and increasing expectations from readers may converge to ensure that that definition no longer holds or, at best, is only partially true.
There's no denying that customers want to be in charge and have a say in all interactions they are a part of. One-way communication is just too passe. They want their foods tweaked a little, decide which channels to watch on TV, even decide who wins the next edition of American Idol. It'd be pretty dumb to assume, therefore, that they would be content reading a book without a part to play.
So imagine a situation where Snow White is warned that the apple may contain some poison. Or one where Thomas Friedman is grilled on his notions of a Flat World. All while reading the book.
Technology may just make that possible. Discussions are already happening through instant messaging and other collaborative software. With the emergence of the broadband and improvements in content delivery, it won't be too far away when the book is not just a static collection of words and pages but a dynamic discussion forum. Real time collaboration may make it possible for authors and readers to communicate and offer stories, plots and explanations tailored for the reader. If the book is indeed a source of knowledge, then such an incarnation of the book might indeed allow people to communicate and collaborate and put their minds together in the pursuit of knowledge. Ideas can be debated and discussed threadbare. Nuances can be emphasized.
Interactivity will be key. The book will indeed be a social lubricant.
Any thoughts?
No comments:
Post a Comment
We'd love to hear from you so please do post your comments: