As the World Turns: Or, How Do You Read Your Books?

My understanding that today in 1455 is considered the marker for publication of Gutenberg’s remarkable Bible.

As most anyone who wishes, knows, the various distinctions attributed to that book Gutenberg published need modifications. ‘Twas the first book printed with movable type – in the West. Still, it was in the West where that idea took fire, and a revolution began that we’re feeling down to this day.

I think of my spouse, that most literate of folk (as they say, you only need one intellectual in a household). In addition to making her living with books, as research librarian at Perkins School for the Blind, she is a voracious reader. What I find intriguing is that she uses three media for this: good old fashioned ink on paper, kindle and she listens to books “on tape,” these days, actually no tape is involved…

Another revolution?

I’m sure it is…

And the consequences?

Who knows…

That said,

In one sense we need revolutions. That massive upset resets and allows for new possibilities. We need gentle change and we need abrupt change. Both are in our nature.

On the other hand, there are those unintended consequences.

I noted the other day the anniversary of the publication of the Communist Manifesto. Times were truly horrific. Were I on the scene I hope I would have at least looked at that option. It speaks to common decency. And, if I embraced it, I would have fallen into a trap, a noble hope that didn’t accurately read human nature, or rather only saw one part. (These days the libertarian position is the mirror opposite, and I’m sure its embrace would be equally devastating for human dignity and possibility…)

But, what is particularly interesting (particularly in the sense of that curse) is how thanks to the new varieties of means of mass communication pretty much every voice is now out there.

So, revolution, no doubt.

But whose?

And to what effect?

No doubt we do live in those interesting times…