Books are about language and ideas, not paper and bright covers
Traditional books are wonderful, but like my old IBM Selectric typewriter, they have their limits. Books haven’t really enjoyed a serious innovation update in a couple of centuries. What we love most about them are the language and ideas. The paper and bright covers are really no more than wrapping on a present. But that physical beauty is also a barrier. We can’t quickly or easily connect to other ideas and language. As great as books are, they are still a bit like my old IBM Selectric typewriter.
Apple is about to come out with what may be the biggest advance in reading since Guttenberg’s printing press. New York publishers and book chains have a lot to fear. But I see all sorts of possibilities for authors, educators, and companies. The gatekeepers are losing control, and books are about to be liberated.
You want to know the future of publishing? All you have to do is watch the kids. If teenagers love this new digital immersion model, there will be no turning back the page.
Jonathan Littman
