Emotional experience of tangible objects

Back? The future of books

Description:

Interviews have indicated that people rather hold something tangible than to have something just digital. This effect can clearly be seen in a software store. All software is sold in big boxes while the software itself is located on a much smaller disc inside the box. In some extreme cases the big box only contains a code that allows the software to be downloaded from the internet. This proves that people want to hold something they buy, they want to feel it, see it and in some extremeties even smell it. With paper books this works in even greater ways. As holding a paper book adds to the experience of reading, the book itself communication to the reader in so many ways besides just the text. The size of the book, the smell, the feeling...everthing contributes. This experience is completely missing when dealing with electronic books, whether they are viewed on a laptop, pda or e-book reader.

Enablers:

1. Paper books

Inhibitors:

1. Extreme (at the moment maybe unrealistic) technological advancement in e-readers that can mimic the experience of an actual book