A Response to a Worried Writer

I belong to several listservs for writers, and this morning someone posted this link to a New York Times article on ebooks versus paper books: http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/does-the-brain-like-e-books/?emc=eta1

 

While it was an interesting article to me, it caused a great deal of worry for a writer I know who is working on a book on journalism that is going to be published in the next few months. This writer is very talented and is also a great teacher, so I was alarmed to see this writer become so upset about the evolution in publications simply because the writer doesn't feel their knowledge of social media and technology is deep enough.

 

We all worry when things change simply because we don't know what is going to happen. However, we must put things in perspective. This is my response to the worried writer:

 

 

Whoa, calm down!!

 

I think you are letting your lack of information about social media upset you. If it makes you feel any better, there are already predictions that Twitter is going to die (yes, right after it hit the mainstream). And it likely will because it can be distracting and exhausting.

 

There will always be a need for solid journalistic writing, and there will always be books, although they may take a new form. All that online content is created (or written!) by someone. The best online content is written by the best online writers.

 

There was an interesting article in the Washington Post in the last week about how all the laid off reporters are launching online ventures, like selling their reporting to their former newspaper (it's cheaper because they are no longer full time). So, there is still a need for good information journalistic writing.

 

Think along the lines of evolution, not extinction.

 

We painted on walls, we scribbled on papyrus, we tattooed our bodies, we carved into clay tablets, we illuminated manuscripts, we created the printing press, Thoreau perfected the lead pencil and went back to the woods . . .

 

Another way to look at it: while we may not have ice men any longer, we still have ice.