In the science of papers versus screens, it talks about the different studies done on how it is different reading on screens and paper. The biggest question asked that stuck out to me was, “How exactly does the technology we use to read change the way we read?” I never thought there was a huge difference when reading on a computer or a phone versus a paperback book. The more I thought about it since the beginning of this class, the more I have started to recognize the differences in everyday life. The article states “As digital texts and technologies become more prevalent, we gain new and more mobile ways of reading, but are we still reading as attentively and thoroughly?” On top of taking this literacy class, I am also taking American Literature and British Literature, both of which supply me with a paperback textbook and links to the readings we are supposed to read. I discovered it was easier to read them online, but I did not retain the information as easily as when I reread the story in the textbook. I completely agree with the article whenever they say there is a physical aspect of reading a paperback book. There is no better feeling than whenever I used to sit on the porch in our swing and read “White Fang” or “Dr. Jeckl and Mr. Hyde”. The article says reading a book versus an e-text provides a physicality in reading. When you physically turn the pages, it provides the sense of location. You know exactly where you are in the book. You can feel the number of pages you still have left to read. You can still feel the length you have already read. The view of a corner to corner book keeps your mind at focus and at ease. Whenever you read online, whether it is an article or a book, there are always outside margins. For articles online, you have advertisements on the side. You could have the different links, the search bar, any other tabs you have open, etc. As a kid growing up, I was a book nerd. All I ever wanted to do was read a book on my front porch in the afternoon. I always dreamt of having a bay widow with pillows where I could sit and write and read my books. It is still a dream. After I graduated and going down the hall to the library was not always an option, I stopped reading. I could always go to the public library, but it was easier to just download my books to my phone and read from there. Time went by, I stopped reading all together. I could not focus like I used to be able to. I was constantly distracted by whatever notification popped up. Reading this article put a lot of things into perspective when it comes to my old habits of serendipity. Reading a physical book instead of on my phone was the answer to all my problems, I just didn’t know it yet.
