Remember
when phones were used only for making handy calls, when a landline
wasn’t available? I don’t either because I’m not that old. I
used my first cell phone to play games and the second one to take
pictures...not of myself.
When
smart phones came along, texting became instantly popular and there
were so many games apps that classic games of solitaire and snake was
quickly forgotten. Games became popular, messaging apps provided more
and more convenient features and while there was a camera in every
phone, taking pictures was never the main reason why people bought
mobile phones.
I
think it was when smart phones started using better lenses and
providing increased pixels, was when people decided that taking clear
pictures of passing scenery was simply not enough. Turning around the
phone, they started to take pictures of themselves and friends, until
it was decided that the camera app would be used more if the selfie
feature was added to the application. So, no more turning around the
phone; a simple tap on the screen can activate the front camera.
Thus
began the obsession with selfies. No one care about taking a picture
of anything but themselves with a background that is never the main
focus of the picture. There will be hundreds of pictures on a social
media account of a person, but rarely would there be a noticeable
background, much less the event that was supposed to be captured.
Therefore,
you have only captured a moment, not truly lived it.
Pictures
are important to commemorate a moment, but surely one can be enough,
rather than a series of shots and the compulsion to take a perfect
shot. How much time is wasted to find the perfect angle, the accurate
pose and the perfect filter to enhance photos, when all that time
could be utilized spending time with loved ones, or better yet,
taking the time out to do something productive.
There
used to be a time, I believe, when people’s favorite pastime was to
pick up a book and read. They would take it everywhere with them,
especially during traveling. I used to do it as well, until I stopped
the practice. Carrying a book in my handbag suddenly became
cumbersome when I had to keep in mind the allowance of luggage
weight.
Fortunately,
readers now have the option to carry all their favorite books on
their favorite device. Be it an e-reader or a tablet or the
cellphone, books are now available as apps that an be purchased no
matter where you are.
There
are many who argue about the waning trade of publishing and how print
books are, no doubt, far superior to ebooks. My argument: it doesn’t
matter in which form you read books, as long as the hard work of
writers is appreciated.
If I
had an opinion, I would say ebooks are better. As a writer, it is far
easier to get published by epublishers rather than mainstream ones.
The process is the same though, writers have to face their share of
rejections in any field. In epublishing, once you are accepted, the
release of your book is a faster process. Everything is done over the
internet- from cover art to coordinating with your editor.
It
is easier, faster and advantageous to the reader who can download the
book immediately in the comfort of their own homes. Readers can carry
their favorite stories, anywhere in their pockets. And honestly, I
would rather see people appreciating the written word rather than
obsessing about selfies and creating photo collages.
By
spending time reading an ebook, readers are encouraging writers to
work on their craft. And when you purchase a book, you are lending
support to a struggling writer. It is easy to fall in love and be
passionate about writing, what is difficult is to sustain that
passion. All writers want, is to have their hard work being
appreciated by having more reads on their work.
When
you purchase and read ebooks, you are also helping hundreds of
epublsihing companies who strive to bring forth interesting stories
and help struggling writers. Without the support of readers, small
publishing companies are unable to hold onto their endeavors to help
authors who have talent but down on their luck to find an outlet to
display their work.
When
these epublishers close down, many talented authors are left stranded
and forced to give up on their dreams. Without someone wanting to
help and encourage them, writers are left with no choice but to give
up on the one thing that makes them happy.
All
this can be avoided by encouraging reading. There are thousands of
authors in the world and hundreds of stories in each of them. Their
stories can take you to another place- a happier one, a fantastical
one, a place filled with dreams. Their stories will lend you
perspective, help you grow and understand culture and tolerance.
Each
story is beautiful and each word is a tiny part of a writer’s
passion.
So
stop being selfie-ish and indulge the writers who spend so much time
on their art. In the process, you too, gain a world where anything is
possible.
My Ebooks:
Comments
Post a Comment