INFORMATION

There are counter-arguments to the stated advantages of e-books in Gates’ essay that can be illuminated across the society. For an individual, the provision of e-books of “audio-visual and flexibility through web linkages” not only improve understanding to a book’s contents but also impede pacing and concentration.  Audio unique intonation, startling images and explanatory quotes from external links need additional time and effort for a curious reader.  Unlike the traditional book, a reader is confronted by mere words with supporting illustrations on the same page that develops reader intimacy and flow.

For the household, the “storage portability of e-books” prevents simultaneous reading that will result to isolation of other interested members of the family.  Information tends to slow.  Or the other scenario, the first reader would slip of telling the important facts of the story that could spoil the interest of other members.  On the other hand, when there is a common library, family members have wide array of books to select at.  Even old ones, when securely stored, are worth reading.  No need to pressure the current user of e-books that could minimize comprehension, or worse, result to conflict.  

In the macroeconomic view, situating the technology in the less developed country would detach Gates’ projection of “improving literacy and education”.  In most of them, poverty is the result of heavy corruption, warfare and strong belief of mediocrity practices that are likely to hamper the introduction of such technology.  With paper books’ simplicity, any interested citizen would not be deprived for information only because of deprivation or absence of technology.

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