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Gutenberg and the Digital Revolution: Will Printed Books Disappear?

Abstract

Novels, textbooks and even computer manuals will not be sold or read as CDs. Printed newspapers and magazines are much easier to read and handle than online versions. What, then, is the effect of the digital revolution? We argue that printed books will soon disappear as the mode of information exchange and consumption, not because the digitization offers a better economics of production but because knowledge-based products must come ready to be integrated with smart products and digitized communication. Books, novels and newspapers were products of the Gutenberg Revolution. Likewise, new forms of knowledge dissemination and usage will evolve with the digital revolution, and thus draw the curtain on printed books. Many information traders, publishers and content owners consider the Internet as a new media market to sell digitized versions of existing contents. Some foresee no end for the old-fashioned publishing business. Publishers point out that even the most savvy technology users seem to prefer books over online manuals. Will printed books persist? What effects will the so-called digital revolution have on the way we produce and exchange knowledge-based products? By discussing the case of printed versus digital books, we would like to answer a few questions regarding the nature and implications of the digital revolution and the coming digital economy.

Soon-Yong Choi

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