Will we actually give up paper? The age of electronics and
digital is seen differently through different eyes. Some are
eager to embrace everything the electronic companies develop
while others cling to the print media, worrying it will soon
be a thing of the past. For two or three year’s discussions
and debates have raged about what the future holds for both.
It is assumed print is “old-fashioned” and out
dated but no conclusive data supports that belief.
As I see it, print will survive and even regain dominance.
I don’t say
this simply because I work for the print media, because I also appear electronically
and recognize it as an asset to my work. I suppose my support of print will label
me as old school, but I think I can justify my beliefs.
Print is best in cases where you wish to challenge a statement
or article that appeared. Bloggers would debate this,
but admit it: do you ever read more than
one or two comments? In print media, everyone reads the letters to the editors.
As a matter of fact, Margaret Ann Kuhl-Herbert of Caseville had a lengthy
letter published three weeks ago in support of my current
column. Her topic headline
read, “Let’s not become slaves to machines.” The opinions she
expressed were, “Today in America the precious resource of a good education
is being down-graded in favor of electronic methods.” And, “We as
a society have come to depend on “mental machines” as a substitute
or replacement for our own mental ability to reason.”
Those of us who have been interviewed often wish to validate
what was said by a review —and establish proof of the statements made. It’s often
said, once on the Web, data never is removed, but on the other hand, something
you saw an hour earlier could be gone and never retrieved.
Those who converse over the Internet using abbreviated
text and misspelled words claim it’s expedient and saves time, but who wants to decipher what they
may be saying. Depending upon what is being communicated, there is something
to be said for each variation of exchanging ideas writing and texting.
Writing on paper provides an opportunity to review and
consider before committing. Who hasn’t hit the send button then wished they could retrieve what was
sent? When you have something really important to say or are waiting to hear
something meaningful, do you want it said in three letter words? Do you want
to risk not ever receiving that vitally important message? Will you even be able
to decipher it on a tiny message box hanging around your neck?
I don’t think texting is the future for communications, especially with
the research underway that proves how many lives are being lost as a result of
its use. As an eye witness, I can testify there is not a day that I drive on
a busy highway that I do not observe drivers with one hand on the wheel and the
other grasping their phones. Just a few years ago, I would have said parents
and schools would not allow youngsters, as young as pre-teens, to carry cell
phones.
Changes in communicating are popping up almost daily, but
are they adding to our quality of life — or do they create confusion? At the rate changes
are taking place in this world, we may soon pass ourselves while trying to decide
what the best mode of communicating is.
I suppose many would prefer to curl up with a monitor in
front of the fireplace and read their favorite novel
during a winter’s night. For me, the flicker
of the fire and quiet turning of my books pages is more relaxing than a computer
screen.
Capt. Fred Davis is a retired charter captain and nationally
published author of boating articles. His “As I See It” appears Fridays in the Tribune
and Boat Smart articles are published in each edition of the Thumb Resorter plus
on line at www.captainfredsboattips.com.