Why We Should Keep Reading eBooks
How America Gets its Read On
Modern Reading Habits In America
If you own an e-book reader or tablet, you are in a group of people who read more now than before doling-out the money for a modern tech device. I was amazed to discover that one in five American adults has read an e-book in the past year. Now, if we also figure-in those who have read a news or magazine-like article using any kind of technical aide—e-book reader, tablet, smart phone, or application—the number grows to well over 40%.1 That is a huge percentage when looking at the overall "modern reading habits" in America.
What Does Research Say About eBook Trends
When looking at the research compiled in a variety of polls and studies, it becomes brilliantly clear that people in America are now reading e-books about a third more often than deciphering traditionalist who read—so called, "old fashion"—paper and ink style books. This trend would indicate that picking up an eBook brings some sort of greater ease to the reading experience. After all, it is generally in our human nature to seek out that which is most convenient; fast food being a harsh, yet very real example.
People Read eBooks Because They Are Lazy
Can it be true that ease of use is what's driving the shift in how "we the people" get our reading done in today's tech-saturated environment? And, if it is, can it be considered a good shift in our literary acquisition? Let's find out by tapping into a few really reliable resources on the topic. The information below may surprise you, as well as make you feel pretty darn good about buying your new e-reader and a bunch of eBooks this year.
Why Do People Read?
REASON WHY WE READ
| AGES 16 TO 29
| AGES 30 AND OVER
|
---|---|---|
Research topics of interest
| 81%
| 73%
|
For pleasure
| 76%
| 81%
|
To stay up on current events
| 73%
| 79%
|
For school or work
| 81%
| 49%
|
Why Do You Read?
Of the four options listed below, which is the most prominent reason for you to read something?
Use Your Library And TV To Read eBooks
Are eBooks Good For America
If indeed the trend towards consuming eBook after eBook in the literary feeding-frenzy is the direction consumers continue to take, it would seem that the self-publishing platform is sure to be the next (if not already) grand money making venture. Yet, as writers pound away on their keyboards creating new and inventive strings of words, most of them will not encounter the Simi Valley, experience, via eBook success. It is more likely that those holding interests in already established works—Tolkien, Poe, Grimm, Shakespeare, and even Rowling—will be the true heirs of the new eBook cash cow. So, in a manner of speaking, the trend may in fact get more Americans reading the classics, which I consider to be a very good thing from an educational point of view. Yet, possibly will bring to the table a devolving trend for publishing companies that neglect to respect the changing tides of media. Standing fast in the face of a pending tsunami may not be the best plan for surviving the inevitable shift in a modern reading paradigm. So, I suspect we can count on the hard and fast book making industry to actually take the lead toward creating an all-but completely "e-Publishing" media industry.
E-Readers
Good News For Online Content Writers
What I find to be an even more exciting "good thing" about how America reads today, is that, for a lucky few content writers, News article writers, and those who create stylish gossipy magazine-style material for the online reader, the trickle-down niche topic philosophy could predictably end up being a virtual grand slam. I say this because, if the polls and research are found to be accurate to any degree, more American eyes land on an e-device daily than on any written product with tangible ink-smudged pages to dog-ear.
Americans And eBooks
Some studies depict the USA as being the fastest growing eBook consumer in the world. We seem to consume them as frequently as french fries these days. The ease that our electronic devices offer us in devouring the world of media has ignited our interests in reading again, and by leaps and bounds. We never have to leave the house during a rain storm, but still have access to the vast array of books and materials on the market. Doing research becomes a breeze, studying for work or school is at our finger tips, and possibly the greatest reason comes from that warm feeling of curling up with a proven classic. The best part overall has to be that all of this information is as simple as logging on or accessing a computer file.
The Economy, Ecology, And eBooks
While it remains a concern for businesses that have been making "real" books for centuries, eBooks bring six positive points to society's economy and ecology.
Creating A Sustainable Publishing Industry
If you were to buy 3 eBooks each month over four years of your Kindle's lifetime, you could reduce the C02 produced by the same number of regular books by 906 kilograms4. That is revising a pretty large and deep carbon footprint by turning it into a tiny pinky-toe-sized dent.
6 Great Reason For Reading eBooks
- cost to consumers is much less
- profits for providers has become more equalized
- industry overhead and cost of doing business recedes
- overall impact on the environment lowers significantly
- fossil fuel usage is greatly slashed (if not completely)
- fewer trees utilized for their materials
Your Carbon Footprint Matters!
Eco Concerns Caused By eBooks
The other side of the argument is that with all of the electronic devices being developed, manufactured and delivered, the environment may actually be suffering. However in one study it is suggested that, the carbon emitted over the life of the product (Kindle e-reader in particular) is completely offset after the first year of use.
Environmental Impact Of The "Ink Page" Publishing Industry
With the publishing industry being one of the world's most pollution producing industries, eBooks actually may be turning things around! By making eBooks in lieu of ink-smudge-style books, the industry may take a turn towards becoming a sustainable, minimal carbon footprint, low wastewater producing business. In a perfect world—and to just get things rolling—potentially saving somewhere in the ballpark of 125 million trees annually.
eBooks Trivia
- The public library may be the greenest of your reading options!
- Each eBook replaces 22.5 ink-style books2.
eBooks Save Publishing Industry Big Money In Fuel Costs
A study done by a San Francisco based company Cleantech Group advocates that when a printed book is manufactured—from raw materials to disposal—it has the greatest carbon footprint per unit of any made products. This is because they also include in their impact study, cost of returned unites; once an order is delivered to a book store, the environmental impact does not stop. In reality, up to 36% of those books that get delivered are sent back unsold. Which Increases the ecological impact of the added fuel used, and then adding to the environmental impact by the incineration or recycling of those unused units only to start the process all over again.
Trivia About eBooks
In 2009, eBooks made for only $113,000,000 of first quarter sales in the (over) $24,000,000,000 publishing market.5 Today, they are among the most popular products purchased online—which keeps that line of numbers growing continually.
Powering Down Your eBook
The Worst Thing About EBooks
If reading is your thing, you are probably still partial to the texture, sound, and smell of a well put together book. Nothing is more soothing as is a hot bubble bath, a cup of tea, and a good quality hardback. Cracking open a book for the first time has a particularly gratifying feel; the resistance of a perfectly stiff spine, the pristine cover jacket, the somewhat whispering creeks that lean forward straining to welcome you to the pages within. This feeling would be near impossible to simulate in any type of E-reader device. But, for the majority of those people who read just about anything today, an e-reader or some other applicable device is the popular choice. The ease and convenience of flipping on the power and swishing an index finger across a glass-like surface has more than won over the masses. Even as traditional books may seem outdated for the most part, I guarantee that the first time your Nook or Kindle unexpectedly splashes down into that steaming body of—now not so soothing—bathwater, you may just decide to give a nicely bound hardback book the respectful nod it deserves.
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Informational Sources