Technology aiding or hindering literature

Will technology aid literature or make book obsolete?

Recently, many people have begun to access literature through electronic devices such as kindles. E-Books have become a common convenient addition rather than having to carry a paper book. 

A study done in 2013 found that half of Americans owned a tablet or e-reader, and 30% had read an e-book that year. However, whilst e-books constitute 20% of book sales, it has been found that sales have plateaued since 2015

Nonetheless, it is believed that whilst e-books are relatively popular, paper books will never be out of publication as the majority of people prefer them over electronic devices. 

This could also be due to the negative effects electronics can have on the brain. Scientists have warned that too much screen time could have long lasting effects, especially on children. Therefore, they are more likely to be encouraged to read physical books to improve their literacy skills. 

One main reason why film adaptations are quite popular is because it is much less time consuming to watch a film than it is to read a book. If people hear of an interesting story, they may chose a film over a book purely for the reason of time constraints. In contemporary society, individuals often lead very busy lives, and finding the time to read can be difficult. Therefore, books can now be seen as a luxury for those who have time to experience them, whilst films are a short lived cinematic method of entertainment. 

Film adaptations allow us to appreciate the detail and intricacy books can provide, whilst providing money for a relatively new movie industry which provides careers and jobs across the globe.