Computers are, in at least certain respects, a technological step backward. Two thousand years ago texts were kept in scroll form, which was clumsy to use and inconvenient to store. Scrolls were supplanted by the codex form, a group of pages bound at one side.
Books in codex form allow for fast and easy data retrieval–pardon the expression–with a simple bookmark, not to mention sticky notes, paper clips and fingers.
Now computer screens return us to the antiquated scroll form.
In addition, books are excellent long-term storage devices. Books made of non-acidic materials–the norm until well into the 19th Century–will easily last for hundreds of years.
Despite forecasts of self-proclaimed sages, the computer cannot hope to replace its technically superior competitor until it can match the book in ease of use, economy and stability.
