COLUMN: Electronic media should not replace printed books

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by Anne Kimbol

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That said, though, I do not worship my computer. In fact, I often fear it.

To a greater and great- er extent, computers are taking over our lives. We talk, do business, shop and even start relationships over e-mail or the Internet. With a few well-planned keyboard strokes, we can have another person's life history at our fingertips. I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't know if I want any computer freak getting off at my exit on the information superhighway.

I got a letter from a good friend yesterday. He is off e-mail for now since he is on vacation from his university, so we have been relying on snail mail. After lamenting being away from e-mail, he made a few good points for an old-fashioned letter. There is the wonderful surprise of finding it in your mailbox, and the excitement of opening it up and knowing someone spent the time to write it and mail it to you.

Then he mentioned one of the things which scares me -- the state of written communication today. No one (myself included) seems to know how to write a letter anymore. Without a keyboard and a quick send command, things don't get said, or at least not as well. The art of letter-writing -- yes, it once was an art -- is dying.

That is not the only thing about our growing dependency on computers which worries me. Movies like The Net , and the book I'm currently reading -- Total Control by David Baldacci -- have enlightened people to the dangers of depending too much on on-line information. With the whole world available at someone's fingertips, anything can happen. As the technology and our dependence grows, the horror stories will not just be on the screen or in a book. They will be in our lives.

Speaking of books, they are where my biggest concern lies. The printed word is slowly losing its grip on many people. For many reasons, the Internet is replacing many newspapers, books, and other previously printed sources of information.

According to a brief in last Thursday's USA Today , Ray Bradbury commented that the Internet cannot compete with a book. He said, "You've got to be able to take a book to bed with you." I am not religious person, but all I can say to that is,"Amen, Ray."

The Internet has its place. As a quick source of information and an inexpensive mode of communication, it cannot be beaten. However, as a good way to spend some time, writing a letter or reading book is unbeatable. So, as I get ready to curl up in my favorite chair and finish Total Control , I would like to remind you that, as wonderful as progress is, it's sometimes nice to regress.

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the February 7, 1997 issue.

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