The Production of Culture

In art, we as artist have a similar goal: to share the way we see the world through of our own eyes. This could be through painting, architecture, writing, etc. These forms of art date back far before the beginning of technology. Although the art of writing predates technology, its mass production was only possible through the evolution of technology.

With that being said, many will argue that the evolution of technology has destroyed the quality of words. Hugh McGuire defines the quality of words as words “which are written, researched, edited, marketed for books” versus “ego noise” for the Internet. However, the start of the Internet was exactly that; it was seen as a way to share quality work with those around the world with a click of a button. Although that was the goal, the internet has now expanded to both intellectual and recreational purposes (recreation has taken the forefront at times).

As the use of the internet continues to expand so has its impact on the publishing industry. However, with the start of ebooks, the publishing realm has been able to stay current. As pointed out in McGuire’s article Why the Book and the Internet Will Merge, he points out the large increase of ebook sales over a 10 year span. From 2008 to 2011, ebook trade sales have increase from 1% to 20%. It is projected that trade sales will increase to 50% percent by this year. So why must we fear the rise of technology?

In his article What Is the Business of Literature?, Richard Nash discusses the connection between the preservation of literature and the business of publishing. He discusses the theory that if we lose publishing, we lose books. I do not agree. I agree that the rise of technology means an decrease of physical paper or hardback book copies. However this same rise provides us the luxury of reading on multiple devices (such as Iphones, Kindles, Tablets, and Ipads); ultimately making it more convenient. I also believe that the convenience provides us with the option to read in all situation, therefore giving us the option to read for our own leisure.

Removing the physical book from the forefront of entertainment allow elevates the creative aspects of its digital presentation. The content will not be lost, only elevated by its presentation. No longer do we simply open a book and depend of the book flap for a look into the purpose or plot of a story. Technology provides us with new was to not only present ebooks, but newspapers as well as magazines. It seems as if magazines have began to embrace technology before other forms of publications. In 2013, Vogue featured Beyonce Knowles of the cover of their January Power Issue. Although the published a paper copy, the digital version was seen as innovative. As you open up the digital copy, Beyonce turns in the sitting position in slow motion, ultimately looking at directly in the eye. The cover was not the extent of their creativity; offering both interactive videos and links to the vogue website throughout the digital copy. 2 years later, magazines like Garage, present us with the future of digital publications. Click this link to catch a glimpse of the 3-D covers presented by Garage to present the supermodels of our generation in a new form. Garage 3D Teaser