Technology shapes the modern world, and its evolving nature permeates every aspect of our society. It has impacted everything from television and shopping to online casino games. The simple pleasure of reading is no exception. Technology and the advent of e-reading have profoundly influenced literature, affecting how we consume it and how it’s published.
If you play casino games online, you’ll be aware of technology’s numerous advantages for the industry. Has it had a similar effect on literature? Or is it a bit of a double-edged sword? Find out below.
What Is E-Reading?
The concept of e-reading is a simple one. It refers to the process of reading books and other material on a digital platform such as a Kindle, tablet, or mobile device. It usually doesn’t include material that is consumed on a desktop computer.
How Has E-Reading Influenced Literature and How We Consume It?
There’s no doubt that technology and the rise of e-books has changed the way we interact and consume all forms of literature, whether that’s self-help books that will improve your life, novels, or the latest research on soil health.
Some of the positive effects that technology has had on literature include:
Accessibility and Reach
One of the great joys of e-books is that people worldwide have access to them. The internet has made it possible for someone in Australia to buy a book written by a relatively unknown author in Zimbabwe at the touch of a button, and vice versa. The world of literature has never been so open. This benefits both the authors themselves, as it furthers their reach, as well as readers, as they’re exposed to literature they might never have experienced in physical formats.
More Options for Visually Impaired Readers
While the visually impaired have been able to enjoy reading through options like braille for decades, technology has simply changed the literature landscape for them. The increasing popularity of formats such as audiobooks means that those who might not have been able to read books due to accessibility issues can now enjoy them. The option to adjust the brightness and font size on an e-reader has enabled partially sighted and senior readers to enjoy the experience, too.
A More Personalized Experience
Technology has undoubtedly created a world in which experiences are more tailored toward consumers. This can be seen in the online casino industry, where consumers are exposed to more of what they enjoy. So, if a player constantly plays casino games like online slots, these are the games that will be promoted to them, or saved on their casino homepage, rather than table games, for example.
Companies like Amazon that sell e-books use data to keep track of what a person enjoys reading and can then suggest books that they think the reader might enjoy.
Portability
If you’ve ever tried to take a “Lord of the Rings” book onto a plane as hand luggage, you’ll know that they’re rather wieldy and cumbersome. E-readers are compact and lightweight, and also house online apps for smartphones. This means that even the longest of epic sagas can be easily transported wherever the reader goes.
Are There Any Negative Effects?
While the majority of technology’s influence on literature has been positive, there are also some downsides.
Decrease in Libraries, Bookstores, and the Physical Reading Experience
Again, there are parallels between the casino industry and literature. In the same way that online casinos had an impact on in-person casinos, e-books have had an impact on libraries. Libraries used to be the hub of a community, with readers, students, and other members of the public interacting with each other and forming relationships. The rise of search engines like Google means that people no longer need to go to libraries to get their hands on books for research, and more people can afford to simply buy e-books, eliminating the need to loan or buy them.
Even More Screen Time
There are huge concerns about how much time people, especially the younger generation, spend on their phones and in front of TV or computer screens. There’s a clear connection between screen exposure and eye strain. Removing physical books and moving to the digital sphere means that readers are experiencing more screen time than ever before.
Market Saturation
Too much choice isn’t always a good thing, and the e-book market has become saturated. More and more authors are choosing to self-publish, and while this has allowed a wider range of authors to share their work, it has also resulted in increased competition, and in some cases a decline in overall writing quality. This makes it much more difficult to unearth hidden gems, leading to some amazing works being lost in the noise.
Has Technology Changed Publishing?
Technology has profoundly changed publishing in numerous ways. The rise of Amazon has probably been the biggest catalyst for change in the industry, and the retail giant has market share in both physical and digital reading materials. Currently, 65% of all e-books in the U.S. are purchased through Amazon, while its share in the print book market exceeds 40%.
Technology has transformed the publishing process for authors and publishers alike. Authors now have access to more publishers and can make more informed decisions about who they choose to publish with. They can even choose to self-publish straight to a platform like Amazon. Social media has changed how authors interact with their readers, build up a following, market their work, and get important feedback.
Publishers now need to focus on publishing many different formats of books, including audio, digital, and physical copies. Publishers no longer have the upper hand in the industry — they aren’t able to make demands of their clients or take such a high percentage of book sales. Marketing, research, and data collection almost always takes place online and via social media.
At the end of the day, technology has also made the publishing industry a more climate-friendly one. Companies can print to demand every time a book is bought online rather than printing millions of copies that might not sell. On top of that, a Kindle device has a much smaller carbon footprint. It can house thousands of books and produces around 168 kg of CO2 in a lifecycle. In contrast, purchasing three physical books a month for four years produces approximately 1,074 kg of CO2.
BetMGM Is at the Forefront of the Technology Revolution
There’s no doubt about the positive impact that technology has had on the casino industry. BetMGM is harnessing technology to create exciting, innovative experiences for its customers. Whether you’re after tips on the blog, such as books that will make you a better gambler, or looking to spend some time playing casino games, you can expect a seamless experience with BetMGM.
Register today.
