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Do books share knowledge better than the Internet?
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Since both books and the internet are based the same communication method (printed text), I don't think one can share the same information better than the other without the addition of other factors.
The type of information in books may differ from information online, and the way people process the information may be different. A published book has been proofread by multiple people and has room for in-depth content that may not hold an online reader. Also, since publishing books is a well-known means of making money, more qualified people are drawn to book writing than blogging. And as previously alluded to, even if good, deep content were online, online readers do not tend to commit the same amount of time and attention to online content that they would to a book. Imagine reading the equivalent of an 1000-page book online.
Unlike books however, online content can be hyperlinked, can be quickly searched, and can have animation to help make points. These features are not available in books, giving online content an edge for certain fields of information, though likely not all.
The type of information in books may differ from information online, and the way people process the information may be different. A published book has been proofread by multiple people and has room for in-depth content that may not hold an online reader. Also, since publishing books is a well-known means of making money, more qualified people are drawn to book writing than blogging. And as previously alluded to, even if good, deep content were online, online readers do not tend to commit the same amount of time and attention to online content that they would to a book. Imagine reading the equivalent of an 1000-page book online.
Unlike books however, online content can be hyperlinked, can be quickly searched, and can have animation to help make points. These features are not available in books, giving online content an edge for certain fields of information, though likely not all.
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I think not. Internet can be more elaborative, with video and sound to accompany text. Books go as far as having pictures and illustrations only. which could be a hindrance to a certain extent
The differences are about bandwidth and ease of use. Things like CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and books, newspapers, etc. hold up because they are generally simple to use, and transfer a lot of data very quickly and easily. Depending upon the speed of one's connection, and the feed of the system, when it comes to many things, it is still quicker to mail something, go to your local library or bookstore, or see a friend to transfer a huge volume of data in a small package.
To use a book, magazine, newspaper, etc. you don't need to worry about if your battery is dead, if your book is 'working', you don't need to worry about being tethered to the wall socket, or if your wireless connection is 'working', if you can find a signal, if the system you are accessing is password protected or not, etc. etc. etc.
There also tends to be a lot less eyestrain from staring at the pages of a book, magazine, or newspaper.
People also tend to like the tactile feel of a physical object. Yes, computers are physical, but the screen interface is not so 'durable' or physical even with laptops and pdas. This may change over time, as kids grow up more and more used to computers, but there may still be a pleasure in something physical and tactile. (I myself have been online a majority of my life, but still prefer non-computer interfaces for many things.)
All that being said, there are of course many benefits to the internet. Key positive factors are many including: the sheer diversity of information available within seconds, the ability to find a person who may have some expertise to help you in real time with a problem, the ability to directly connect with individuals from anywhere at any time or over a period of time, etc. etc. However, the internet is currently (and has been for a long time) suffering from a lack of coordinated and cooperative organization that used to be much more prevalent.
In general, it's really about communication methodologies.
The internet allows for a two-way process, while books, etc. are typically only a one-way process. In addition, you can look at the differences as they relate to communication paradigms such as many-to-many, one-to-one, and one-to-many.
To use a book, magazine, newspaper, etc. you don't need to worry about if your battery is dead, if your book is 'working', you don't need to worry about being tethered to the wall socket, or if your wireless connection is 'working', if you can find a signal, if the system you are accessing is password protected or not, etc. etc. etc.
There also tends to be a lot less eyestrain from staring at the pages of a book, magazine, or newspaper.
People also tend to like the tactile feel of a physical object. Yes, computers are physical, but the screen interface is not so 'durable' or physical even with laptops and pdas. This may change over time, as kids grow up more and more used to computers, but there may still be a pleasure in something physical and tactile. (I myself have been online a majority of my life, but still prefer non-computer interfaces for many things.)
All that being said, there are of course many benefits to the internet. Key positive factors are many including: the sheer diversity of information available within seconds, the ability to find a person who may have some expertise to help you in real time with a problem, the ability to directly connect with individuals from anywhere at any time or over a period of time, etc. etc. However, the internet is currently (and has been for a long time) suffering from a lack of coordinated and cooperative organization that used to be much more prevalent.
In general, it's really about communication methodologies.
The internet allows for a two-way process, while books, etc. are typically only a one-way process. In addition, you can look at the differences as they relate to communication paradigms such as many-to-many, one-to-one, and one-to-many.
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