In light of the recent debate started by Jonathan Franzen’s critique of E-books, Phillip Pullman has commented on his unease with the burgeoning technology. Echoing the core of Franzen’s argument, Pullman is particularly concerned with E-book readers’ reliance on external servers. Talking to Leah Price, Pullman suggested that the true significance of E-books is as yet unknown, but that:
“I mistrust any device whose continued usage depends on vast, mysterious and invisible infrastructure of electricity supply, computer servers, broadband connections, credit facilities and so on.”
Despite his skepticism, Pullman does own a Kindle.
OK, Philip, but have you considered how much technology is required to print and distribute the good old-fashioned paper book? It’s non-trivial; so much so that it was not until 1935 that Allen Lane founded Penguin, the first paperback (and therefore affordable) printer of serious books.
Of course, once a paper book has been printed and retailed the resulting artefact does have a number of advantages over the e-book.