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I keep seeing these blogs and such saying we should stop reading "dead tree books" and all buy ereaders, claiming that they're better for the environment and all that.
Let me give you two reasons, people, that will not and cannot happen.
#1: Migraine sufferers.
As one myself I can assure you I will never willingly read an ebook. A migraine is not "just a headache." As many will attest we have to take frequent breaks from the tv and computer screens to keep from hurting. In just typing the last few sentences I've closed my eyes for ten seconds or more at least six times. Glanced away from the screen - while typing ind you (I've gotten quite good at it over the years) - more times then I can count. Just to avoid a migraine.
Dead Tree Books are more migraine sufferer friendly then ebooks.
#2: The LONG TERM environmental effects.
As an example let's take a look at the "energy efficient" lightbulbs as an example. We're being pushed to use them because "they're better for the environment."
Maybe in the SHORT term. However in the LONG term they are WORSE for the environment. Did you know that because of the chemicals inside if you break one you have to evacuate the area for up to 30 minutes? People are constantly getting mercury poisoning from them. A few months ago I saw an article about a factory in England where every single person who worked there got mercury poisoning after they replaced all the old bulbs with the energy efficient ones.
Those bulbs, as they're disposed of, will contaminate ground water supplies and destroy the environment. You're far better off with the old fashion bulbs.
Now ereaders run off electricity. Be it batteries or if you have to charge them or use batteries. But think of this - you're talking about getting rid of ALL dead tree books. That includes - gasp - SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS! Think of all the billions of children and adults in school. Elementary, junior high, high school, college, vocational schools, grad schools, law schools, medical schools....
Billions of books, replaced by ereaders. All those batteries going to land fills. All that electricity going to charge them. Building up, building up....
Long term effects of ebooks on the environment - WAY worse then dead tree books. Especially since the latter are recycled easier. Be it resale, giving them away, or when they're too bad to read anymore, actually sending them along with your newspapers to a recycling center.
Now which do you think is better for the environment?
Sorry, folks, but Dead Tree Books are here to stay. Embrace it, accept it.
Heck, even Captain Picard had dead tree books on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Remember his huge copy of Shakespeare in his ready rooms?
Yep. Dead Tree Books forever!
~Jami JoAnne Russell~
