Why does the author feel that electronic devices are better than books?

Directions: Refer to the following passage to answer questions below: Stories have been a part of the world since the beginning of recorded time. For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down throughout the generations through oral tradition. With the invention of the printing press, which made written material available to a wide range of audiences, books were mass-produced and introduced into greater society. Before the printing press was invented, books had to be hand copied, which made books very difficult to make and very costly as a... Show more

Directions: Refer to the following passage to answer questions below:

Stories have been a part of the world since the beginning of recorded time. For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down throughout the generations through oral tradition. With the invention of the printing press, which made written material available to a wide range of audiences, books were mass-produced and introduced into greater society. Before the printing press was invented, books had to be hand copied, which made books very difficult to make and very costly as a result. For the last several centuries, books have been at the forefront of education and entertainment. With the invention of the Internet, reliance on books for information quickly changed. Soon, almost everything that anyone needed to know could be accessed through the Internet. Large printed volumes of encyclopedias became unnecessary, as all of the information was easily available on the Internet. Despite the progression of the Internet, printed media was still very popular in the forms of both fiction and non-fiction books. Similarly, newspapers are a format of reading material that has been widespread in availability and use. While waiting for an appointment, enduring a several-hour flight, or relaxing before sleep, books, magazines, and newspapers have been a reliable and convenient source of entertainment, and one that society has not been willing to give up. With the progression and extreme convenience of technology, printed books are soon going to become a thing of the past. Inventions such as the iPad from Apple and the Kindle have made the need for any kind of printed media unnecessary. With a rechargeable battery, a large screen, and the ability to have several books saved on file, electronic options will soon take over and society will no longer see printed books. Some people still cling to the old format of printed books as they enjoy owning and reading from paper materials. Although some people may say that the act of reading is not complete without turning a page, sliding a finger across the screen or pressing a button to read more onto the next page is just as satisfying to the reader. The iPad and Kindle are devices that have qualities similar to a computer and can be used for so much more than just reading. These devices are therefore better than books because they have multiple uses. In a cultural society that is part of the world and due to a longstanding tradition, stories will always be an important way to communicate ideas and provide information and entertainment. Centuries ago, stories could only be remembered and retold through speech. Printed media changed the way the world communicated and was connected, and now, as we move forward with technology, it is only a matter of time before we must say goodbye to the printed past and welcome the digital and electronic future.

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