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Some preliminary thoughts

Digital books, or ebooks, should have notably transformed our communicative landscape, particularly about reading habits, information accessibility, and knowledge dissemination. However, the ebook revolution failed to deliver on some of its promises. Here are some pivotal aspects of this evolution:

  1. Enhanced Accessibility: Ebooks have significantly democratised access to information, enabling a broader spectrum of individuals to engage in intellectual discourse and knowledge sharing. Unfortunately, more and more publishers and authors have erected paywalls, preventing the promised enhanced accessibility. This paywall worsens the digital divide between the haves and have-nots.
  2. Portability and Convenience: The advent of digital books means that one can carry an extensive library within a single device, offering unprecedented access to information and facilitating reading and referencing on the go. That is one benefit I adore. Two-thirds of my luggage used to be due to the weight of books I carry for my trip. Now, I can carry thousands of books for the weight of my iPad.
  3. Interactive Features: Ebooks often incorporate interactive elements like hyperlinks, multimedia, and search functionalities, enriching the reader’s experience and engagement with the content. After the initial hype, these interactive features on ebooks either disappeared or never materialised. Ebooks became like the counterpart of the printed book. They remain fixed in format and are locked into a fixed mode. The promising features of interactive digital books have yet to come to light.
  4. Rapid Content Updates and Sharing: The digital nature of these books allows for swift updates, ensuring the dissemination of the latest information. Additionally, the ease of sharing content promotes collaborative learning and discussions. Again, the promises still needed to be fulfilled. It remains the same once we buy a digital book until its next edition appears. We then must buy the new edition for the updates. We are still waiting for a convenient, ecological book that is receiving updates, except for some medical or technical books behind paywalls that are very expensive.
  5. Environmental Considerations: The shift towards digital books represents a move towards environmental sustainability, reducing the reliance on paper and thus impacting global communication and policy dialogues. Surprisingly, even without the cutting down trees, printing, and distribution costs, the price of digital books has not been lowered. At times, the cost of a newly published digital book is sold at the price of a hardcopy paperback! No one has yet explained to me why this is so.
  6. Worldwide Distribution: The global distribution capabilities of ebooks surpass physical books’ logistical and financial limitations, enabling authors to reach a worldwide audience and readers to access diverse international perspectives. While this seems promising, the control of publishing corporations still retain a stranglehold on quality publications, while the internet is flush with low-quality self-published nonsense.
  7. Impact on Publishing: The rise of digital books has reshaped the traditional publishing framework, influencing how authors present and interact with their audience and paving the way for novel storytelling and content creation. Unfortunately, there has been a pushback from printed book publishers, making the digital book just another version of the physical book.

In conclusion, while digital books could revolutionise information accessibility, reader engagement, and the dynamics of the publishing industry, this revolution has not materialised. Unfulfilled promises and market dynamics have stifled the potential transformation. However, it is crucial to recognise that this does not mark the end of the road for digital books but rather highlights areas for improvement and future development.

Potential Pathways for Realizing the Full Potential of Digital Books:

  1. Pricing Model Reformation: There is a need for a more transparent and fair pricing model for ebooks. Publishers and authors must consider the reduced digital publishing costs and pass these savings on to consumers, making ebooks more accessible.
  2. Enhancing Interactive Features: Publishers should invest in interactive features that leverage technology to distinguish digital books from their physical counterparts. This includes more than just hyperlinks and multimedia; it involves integrating AI-driven personalised reading experiences, augmented reality, and other innovative technologies.
  3. Overcoming the Digital Divide: Efforts must ensure that ebooks are accessible to all, including those in underprivileged areas. This could involve initiatives like global digital libraries, subsidised ebook readers, and internet access programs.
  4. Environmental Advocacy: Digital books must be promoted as a convenient, ecological, and environmentally friendly alternative. This requires a concerted effort from publishers, authors, and environmental groups to educate the public about the environmental benefits of ebooks.
  5. Encouraging Quality in Self-Publishing: While there’s a flood of low-quality, self-published works, the democratisation of publishing also has its merits. Encouraging and providing resources for quality self-publishing can help unearth new voices and stories.
  6. Redefining the Role of Publishers: Traditional publishers need to adapt to the digital era by digitising content and reimagining their role. This might involve being curators of quality content, investing in new technologies, and fostering new forms of storytelling.

In essence, the journey of ebooks is still ongoing. While the initial promises of a digital book revolution may have fallen short, the future still holds immense potential. With strategic adjustments and a renewed focus on its unique capabilities, the digital book can still become a transformative force in the realm of reading, learning, and sharing knowledge. The key lies in embracing innovation, ensuring accessibility, and staying committed to the core promise of revolutionising how we engage with books.