Digital is becoming the "go-to" resource. Being able to go through all relevant media speeds up research. As stated in the article, "back when libraries were the sole repositories of information... always found the process of information retrieval arduous and disappointing" (Blank). Also people are feeling more comfortable with digital resources. Now if someone wanted to find out a historical event that took place five hundred years ago, they would just have to type it into a search engine. Even in schools, digital resources are being used for many study projects. As Dan Blank stated in his article, people are starting to see digital resources become involved in their everyday life.
Print takes up space while digital is more compact. A large space would be needed to hold hundreds of print copies. However, on a digital device, it is possible to look up current events, weather, or public transit information. Using digital is faster and simpler than print.
Print consumes hundred of of trees to produce newspapers. Newspapers are extremely short lived, "Just look at the trash bins at Penn station in New York by 9:30 a.m.; they are flowing with current day's paper" (Blank). Digital may consume energy, however, it is less wasteful. Having content on the internet makes it available to everyone in the world at once. A single digital copy can last forever.
Digital has many attributes that prove its worth. It requires less resources and outputs less waste than print. Digital can be shaped for any problem. Anyone can access digital resources. Also, anyone can contribute to digital resources. Though digital may not fully replace print anytime soon, it has proven itself to be more useful and more green than print. People will become more inclined to use digital resources in the coming times.
Sources:
Blank, Dan "why Digital Is Better Than Print" I feel fine: how I learned to stop worrying and love the web.danblank.com.n.p.5 august 2000.web.http://danblank.com/blog/2009/08/05/why-digital-is-better-than-print/
I am a green person, I love nature. So I am for digital. I still love print it can be autographed by Beyonce' Digital can't. Digital consumes energy, it may be wasteful but still harmful. Studies shows it causes cancer and brain damage. Digital is easier and hey I'm lazy so I'm all for it. You are made a great point here 'Print has long been the "go-to" resource. However, print had far more limitations than any other resource." People no longer read newspaper or books. You can get all of this on your phone and tablet.
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