Mass Media Literacy Discussion.

Q: Do you think that the novel, in its traditional form, is becoming obsolete? What might save its seeming ultimate demise?

A: Yes and no. I think that even with the advent of new technology, like e-readers and audiobooks, that the traditional form of the novel seems like it’s becoming obsolete. Audiobooks, in particular, allow for someone to do more while listening to a book and taking in the information, which is similar to how I like to listen to the radio while I’m making dinner in the kitchen. E-books are more portable and let you read in the dark without having a light on, and also usually are just one page at a time which can prevent you from spoiling what happens next. All the technology available now really just gives more people access to novels that weren’t available to them before. Some people can’t sit down and read a whole novel, but still want to see what it’s about, which is why audiobooks are an amazing tool. Some people can’t afford the space to have a bunch of books just lying around, so an e-reader or an app on a device they already have give them access to a library at their fingertips, available whenever they want it. However, I don’t personally think that the traditional form of the novel is going to go away any time soon. There’s really nothing to replace the feeling of holding a physical book and the enjoyment of reading it, or even how a book smells. At this current point in time, there isn’t anything to replace that experience, along with that fact that traditional books are like a collector’s item in a way. So even with more and more technology and online media in our faces, the traditional form of the novel offers us something that people crave: the ability to completely unplug for a period of time and get lost in something as comforting as a familiar story.