Physical Books Dead in 5 Years?

Physical Books Dead in 5 Years: Do You Agree?

by POPSUGAR Tech 8/9/10 24 Reactions 43 Shares Print

Last week at a tech conference in Lake Tahoe, California, Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of One Laptop Per Child, said that he believes physical books will be "dead" in as little as five years. Of course, there will always be books around (I'm not giving up my library card just yet), but considering the fact that digital forms of books have already outsold hardcovers, not to mention how quickly consumers are snatching up ereaders of all forms (and how easy they are to transport), I suppose it's a prediction that isn't too far fetched.

I'm a big fan of my Kindle, but there's just something about reading a real book that gives me the warm fuzzies. Do you agree with this prediction, or are you a die-hard physical book proponent?

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24 Comments

carolineishere 3 years

Although I love my Nook and the ease of carrying a lot of my library in my purse, I still love the smell of a library.

3 years

Lol at the commenters who pointed out that books aren't 'environmentally friendly'. My friend what do you think of your computer which itself is made of non renewable resources in many cases mined from conflict rich third world countries. But yea, books are bad.

blahsum 3 years

You cite two reasons that are both dubious: - Hardcover sales are not symbolic of anything. Paperbacks mark the change in the tide and they are still sitting pretty. - The Kindle might have sold out, but Amazon has yet to reveal either supply or sales numbers. And even if you talk in terms of millions, it's a small percentage when you tally the potential markets the Kindle could have sold to. Negroponte's position was more that most books would go digital, facilitating their easy moving to other countries and rural communities - a position that backs his ideas behind the OLPC. But statistically it's little more than an assumption because there is no real data to create a whole picture. If it wasn't that someone of Negroponte's stature had made this comment, I'd not even have spared a thought for it. If books were, say, implemented to read and send via mobile phones - and not just smart phones, but all brands of phones (thus engaging the most prolific electronic device on the planet) - then we have a basis for such a revolution.

Antidia 3 years

Considering all the books I read come from the library, would ebooks be available to check out, too? If not, I think books will still have a place.

Caitie64 3 years

I hate eReaders they suck compared to reading a good book, the feeling you get when you can see how many pages are left and how close you are to the end. Not to mention having actual books on a shelf look so much better then just that kindle or some other eReader.

3 years

You could not PAY me to trade in my books for an e-reader or whatever they are. I love to turn a page as well the smell and feel of an older edition of a book. It will be a travesty if technology takes over everything. I love my computer, but I also love getting away from the glaring headache inducing screen to relax with a good book.

bsanf3 3 years

It will be more then 5 years, they'll become like LPs (still made but not many). I see physical magazines going first.

RoaringSilence 3 years

Thanks to clumsy people, books will always be made of paper. You just can't drop an e-reader quite so many times.

RoaringSilence 3 years

Thanks to clumsy people, books will always be made of paper. You just can't drop an e-reader quite so many times.

butterflywings5 3 years

I hope they never stop making real books. I love stretching out in bed to read a good book. Plus I love how over crowded my bookcase looks with all the different books I've read, lol.

3 years

I'm all for technology. And if some people prefer a hard plastic device with a screen to a great book, that's good for them. I know making books takes alot of paper. But if they used recycled paper it would help alot. I think those gadgets are good for traveling when you don't have space to pack books. But I'll always be a book lover.

Akasha 3 years

I don't foresee the death of all books. Not everyone can afford an eReader and there are some people who are just anti-tech. Plus, there is something about old books that can never be replaced. I'm sure that a large slow down in the amount of books actually printed will probably happen. On the upside eReaders are allowing writer's without the support of a large publishing house to get their wares out there, and price them that people are more willing to take a chance on an unknown writer.

Akasha 3 years

SkinnyMarie 3 years

I support ebooks, but I couldn't read off of that screen. I have tried with my husbands nook. It has also been found that we read slower while using an eReader, not something that many people would put up with. We also tend to not absorb as much information.The functionality of a book is also more practical then an ereader especially for informational books. I have 3 bookmarks in a instructional book that I need to quickly flip back and forth to, this isn't as easily done with on an ereader then with a book.

SkinnyMarie 3 years

I support ebooks, but I couldn't read off of that screen. I have tried with my husbands nook. It has also been found that we read slower while using an eReader, not something that many people would put up with. We also tend to not absorb as much information. The functionality of a book is also more practical then an ereader especially for informational books. I have 3 bookmarks in a instructional book that I need to quickly flip back and forth to, this isn't as easily done with on an ereader then with a book.

3 years

As much as I love my Nook, I prefer sitting down and reading an actual book. I'd probably be able to deal with no more 'real books' (I guess that's what I get for being 14) but a lot of our family friends and my parents would probably stop reading all together. xD I still don't think it'll happen, at least in the next five years.

3 years

Not gonna happen. Reason being (and this blog seems to ALWAYS be oblivious to this) that not everyone is rich and can afford to buy iPhones, ereaders, iPads, heck, I can't even afford an iPod 1st gen!

chequettex 3 years

I agree that books will probably become extinct, at least as far as making new books goes, but it's going to take longer than 5 years. Much longer. Lots of people visit the library (not everyone can afford to buy every book they want to read, remember??) There are still far too many people that will never give up reading real books for electronic ones. My husband is one of them, and he's only 26 now...

thecolor 3 years

I only say, "no" 'cause it will remain a hobby at least.

3 years

Books will go the route of fur coats. As much as I love books, they simply aren't environmentally friendly. In 2 generations down it'll be a pure luxury/sin to own a book.

bengalspice 3 years

Most publishers already store all their books digitally ... the real blockade will be figuring out the royalties, rights, and pricing situation. Until publishers find the perfect balance, physical books are going to continue to be the bread and butter of the publishing world.

millarci 3 years

I really hope they don't. I love buying books! I love building up my personal library on my bookshelf. I love reading a good book on my sofa. I stare at a computer screen all freaking day long! I don't need to stare at one when I read books too.

le romantique 3 years

No. My parents (although I have never seen them read a book) generation will still read them. Plus, I'm 22 and LOVE them. I have an iPhone 4 and other hi-tech devices, but there is just something about a book that I could never get rid of them. Plus, Book shelves filled with books (that you actually read) is probably the most quaint and beautiful thing in a house.

AlisonMcg67 3 years

There is something I love about lying in bed with the latest Hiaasen or Dexter book. also, if I dropped my Kindle when I fell asleep reading, it would shatter the screen.

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