Book News – Are Teens More Literate Because of the Internet?
While sites like Failbooking.com make me worry about the human race in general, this article from the Huffington Post sheds a new light on the phenomena of the Internet.
Basically, Ed Hamilton points out that teens are reading more fiction now that video and television are so insanely accessible. I would also add that since books are now being made into movies that are actually decent (read, movies that duplicate the book in a visual form), books are more popular amongst younger audiences that want a deeper understanding of the world shown to them in an hour and a half. A book gives a much more thorough experience and points up things that can’t be shown in the time slot a movie has.
Mr. Hamilton also notes that while there are games and such on the Internet, ultimately interaction on the web requires literacy (though perhaps no spelling chops).
Another thing I’d like to point out is that the Internet provides a space where more people can connect with their favorite authors. For example, I follow Neil Gaiman’s blog and I’m friends with Pseudonymous Bosch and Jess Haines on Facebook. Sure, this is a superficial connection, but it allows the reader to explore more once the book is finished.
Another great example of this is a book I just finished (and will soon be reviewing) Personal Effects: Dark Art by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman. These brilliant authors made a book that is not only an awesome read, but is interactive both through websites made specifically for the book and even phone numbers you can call. To me, that’s truly merging the world of the web savvy with the engrossed reader.
Anyway, I think all in all a great point is being made here. While TV dies a slow death, books continue to live on and are even becoming more and more popular. Victory is ours!