The irrepressible InstaPunk posted a great review of Doctor Zero: Year One that includes some intriguing observations about the importance of paper books in an electronic age. Here’s a taste:
That’s why we who care about the outcome and the impact on our children and grandchildren also have a responsibility to back up the hard drives of our minds by saving to paper. Yes, the record is there, electronically, right now. Will it still be there in a year or ten? When you want to prove in 2020 or 2040 that there were people who knew what was happening and tried desperately to stop it, what evidence will you still be able to present? The internet is only flashes of electricity that can be lost in a storm, hidden in impenetrable archives, or erased by persons and motives unknown.
As with any other medium, heavy Internet users can overestimate the comprehensive reach of their avocation. When you spend a lot of time cruising web sites, you tend to think information splashed across the Internet is washing up everywhere… but a large percentage of the population lives far inland from those electronic shores.
Some people view the Internet as untrustworthy, based in part on the entirely reasonable suspicion InstaPunk mentioned: electronic documentation can be altered or erased at any time. Easy access to electronic media is a beautiful thing, but it also brings in a lot of jokers and charlatans. And, of course, some people just don’t like staring at computer screens when they read.
There are a lot of people out there who can’t be reached through the Internet. That’s why I felt it was well worth the time and effort to carve a book out of paper and ink. InstaPunk explores another excellent reason: a book can’t be digitally edited or magically deleted. Read his entire review here.
Just got my copy and am looking forward to reading it. When I get done, I’ll be including it in a care package to my brother whose reserve unit is heading overseas within the next couple of weeks. I know he likes your writing and will definitely appreciate it.
[...] InstaPunk Reviews “Doctor Zero: Year One” « Doctor Zero [...]
“There are a lot of people out there who can’t be reached through the Internet. That’s why I felt it was well worth the time and effort to carve a book out of paper and ink. InstaPunk explores another excellent reason: a book can’t be digitally edited or magically deleted.”
From the beginning I printed out your essays, Dr. Zero, before they disappeared from the Hot Air archives.
There is legislation in the works (June 25) that would allow the internet to be shut down in times of “national emergency.” See: http://www.infowars.com/obama-can-shut-down-internet-for-4-months-under-new-emergency-powers/
Also the TSA recently attempted to ban sites with “controversial opinions.” The TSA did not list porn sites as ones to be banned, so they must feel that opinions are more dangerous than pornography. (For the record, I am in favor of all employees being prohibited from using the internet for personal reasons when they are on government or company time.)
Who knows how long the internet will remain a place for the free exchange of ideas and information?
I too, worry about the manipulation of the internet. I noticed it most during the 2008 campaign when stories, quotes or links critical of Obama, and even Hillary quickly were modified or sent ‘down the memory hole’ soon after they were discovered.
It continues to annoy me as headlines on ‘News’ sites that may read “Stocks Set to Pop Following Obama Speech on Financial Reform!” are changed after a 200 point drop to “Stock Market Tumbles on Fears of European Financial Meltdown!”
The internet is a great source of information, and misinformation.