Free # 1 "The Kindle"

Being a Media and Communications major, I have become aware of the large influence technology has on our society. Many people are unaware of the fact that new forms of media are only made possible with help from the old forms. For example, the yearbook can be seen as the major contribution to the evolution of Facebook. With technology continuing to advance, one might wonder if/when old forms of media will ever die out. The Amazon device, the Kindle is a “wireless reading device,” that is a remediation of the written word. Creators state it is the “future of book reading.” The Kindle “borrows” concepts from other forms of media which has contributed to its creation. The device is a remediation of the book, magazine, newspaper, internet and the library. It is a 10.3 ounce device which is lighter than most paperback books. It performs the same tasks done with a computer, in a faster, less demanding way. Purchasing a Kindle is essentially the same as purchasing 200 different books, magazines or newspapers. Although there are certain limitations, the Kindle has the capability to replace any medium that applies the written word to communicate information. The device separates the user and the desired reading material with another technology based medium in between. As technology continues to advance, more people tend to ignore the old, more time consuming forms of media. Can these advanced creations of technology ever turn old forms of media such as books, newspapers and magazines to totally technology based devices?