Traditional paper books vs. Electronic books - a present day challenge

• Author: Mariana Borcoman
• Position: Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 51-58

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 12 (61) No. 1- 2019

https://doi.org/10.31926/but.ssl.2019.12.61.1.5

TRADITIONAL PAPER BOOKS VS. ELECTRONIC

BOOKS - A PRESENT DAY CHALLENGE

Mariana BORCOMAN1

Abstract: The book is the outcome of one or several authors and reaches

us, the readers, under various forms. The first forms of a book were the clay

tablets and papyrus sheets. Later, people commenced to write calligraphic

texts, excerpts from the Bible accompanied by images, and so the

manuscript was born. The discovery of printing by Johann Gutenberg

revolutionized the book format and the printed book helped reduce

conception time, increase print-run and book dissemination over a wider

territory. The digital book represented a step forward and a new book

format which is familiar to us today. The book, either in print or digital form,

fulfils its purpose to train and educate. My article focuses on the classical

and electronic forms of books and highlights their contribution to

communities’ personality and culture. Books are made to circulate.

Key words: manuscript, printed book, digital book, book circulation.

1. Introduction

A major part of our culture is governed by books and this satisfaction is provided by

reading a book. Reading and the love for reading is an educa ted habit and it becomes a

reflex after many years. Valuing the book and the time spent reading it is time saved for

each of us, but some claim that reading a book drives them to sleep, while others cannot

sleep without reading at least several pages. We live in a world of paradoxes and

everything surrounding us has an impact upon ourselves. Psychologists believe, rightly

so, that reading and handwriting activate and develop specific regions of our brain and

preserve our spirit alive,, deep reading activates the part of brain that responds to

imagination, mosaic activates brain area responsible for decision, command, control“

(Paraschiv, T., Tănase, V. I, 2016, p.2). Unfortunately, another reality of our present

days is the invasion of mass-media into our private lives. Television provides

information, I would say mediocre, which promotes easy to emulate and meaningless

models. Another part of our free time is dominated by computer-based activities and

social networks, equally harmful. The present-day challenges are more numerous and

more tempting than in the past days. Currently, our free time is a luxury that only some

cannot afford. On the other hand, another the reality of our present days is the

1 Transilvania University of Brașov, m.borcoman@unitbv.ro