E-books: Treasures and Wonderful Surprises?

Clifford Lynch comes to the conclusion that “we will find treasures and wonderful surprises along the way” (p. 168, tk3 version) to ebooks. In reference to the new genres of works that digital books may enable, the “more effective communication of ideas, enhanced teaching and learning, and renewed creativity” (p. 168, tk3 version) that they will foster, he is justified in his optimism about the digital book. However, it is important to recognize how heavily his optimism is tempered with a dose of caution toward what happens with ebooks that are electronic versions of traditional print books.

There are many things that will likely evolve and be considered ebooks. Lynch makes the point that there will be things that we can not even conceive of yet that will develop. I think the treasures and surprises he is refering to are the possibilities to understand our world in different ways that arise through the use of new media. Take for example the changes that occur when creating a review of a traditional print book as a web review; conceiving of the project as images and text in non-linear form can work together to generate a deeper understanding of the work than a straight text essay. Imagine then the possibilities when we are at the point of using technology that has yet to develop.

As for the concern that not all of the surprises will be wonderful, Lynch is quite clear that we, members of society, need to think critically about some fundamental questions, and make decisions about what we consider acceptable or not. If we are not careful, the publishing industry may impose structures that are not to our benefit. As Lynch says, “[h]idden agendas and unforeseen consequences - that emerge only after e-books have become extensively established through a consumer marketing campaign that persuades the public that e-book readers and the content sold for them represents the future - do not serve us well.” (p.165, tk3 version)