The world today has undergone a lot of changes and developments. In the past, people used to use stones and bamboos as writing materials, and the invention of paper by the Chinese meant the introduction of books into humans’ lives. Today, books are gradually replaced by technology and are converted into digital data. Even so, books still have a place in the future, where more technology advancements will take place.

Books have certain disadvantages. Books, since they are made of paper from trees, are bulky objects. It is a common sight to see schoolchildren carrying many heavy textbooks to schools everyday. This health-threatening habit may cause back or shoulder injuries, due to the heavy load they carry. Furthermore, books are made of paper which is highly flammable. A fire in a library can easily destroy the precious works of many writers. A good example of such events is the burning of books during the Qing Dynasty in ancient China, where precious books were lost forever.

The introduction of modern technology may be the perfect solution to the usage of books. If all the books in a particular library could be digitalised and stored in the memories of computers, then the space used for building the library can be greatly reduced and made available for other purposes. Furthermore, digital version of books can be saved and stored in other parts of the world. In turn, by doing so, research materials can be made more accessible to the whole world. The ‘extinction’ of books could also mean a more environmental-friendly world as no more trees will be cut down.

However, modern technology cannot totally replace books. Currently, although many countries around the world are adopting the use of information technology, the world is greatly divided ‘digitally’. The developed countries are already leading the digital race, whilst the poorer countries are left behind in this particular race for the obvious race ----- the poorer people are facing problems like poverty and unemployment, which restrict them from catching up with modern technology. The future for these people is bleak; hence, books are still relevant in the future for those people who are not well-versed or do not have access to computers at all.

Although finding research materials from books in a library can be exhausting, it is still no doubt much more dependable than materials on the computer. The usage of books, whether for writing or reading purposes, can be done anywhere, as long as you are in a well-lit room. Digitalised materials are heavily dependent on electricity; a total blackout in an urban city for long periods of time means no access to such materials. Therefore, books are certainly more dependable at all times.

Books play a vital role in a student’s education. Although the younger generation must learn to use technology in order to keep pace with time, it is very important for them to learn the basics of humanity ----- the art of communication. The ability to think, write and speak with one another is the thing that makes use different from other animals. The younger generations should not be over-dependent on modern technologies like electronic calculators; doing maths problems or writing a story on paper are essential skills that everyone should possess. Hence, books are still relevant in the future, as long as humans are still alive.

Books are the livelihood of writers. Through books, writers can bring the readers to the world that the writers want to convey and these effects can only be achieved through books. Furthermore, reading from books is much more enjoyable and less tiring than reading from a computer screen. Some people argue that these writers can make use of movies to convey their messages to the whole society, but the writers’ messages can only be fully understood through books. Furthermore, the movies created for the books may not be fully accurate, in terms of contents.

Books are still relevant today and in the future; modern technology cannot totally replace books in different forms like movies or in the memories of computers. Books play direct roles in education, literacy works and research, and are the most dependable form of records to date.

12nd February 04'

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