Print Continues a Slow Death

I want to die in my sleep like printed media, not screaming and yelling like the floppy disk in the drive next to it.  First, there was little bit of fun, that, while being funny, contains some truth to the downfall of the readers of literature in general.  But my real pain comes from the unconfirmed reports that Grolier's Encyclopedia Americana will no longer be printed.  After the acquisition of Grolier by Scholastic in 2000, the encyclopedia has been in a waning decline, last published as the 2006 edition in print.  The company has kept the encyclopedia alive in electronic format, but is that as good as print?  I say no.

I LOVE YOU, MY FRIST TRAPPER KEEPER!

Now, as I said, this is unconfirmed.  I did not send out any emails to companies or put any effort (besides a couple of quick searches) into verifying my sources because, honestly, who cares?  I am mourning a piece of my childhood (and a publication that has been in print since 1829). 

I feel that knowledge is becoming too easy.  While I embrace technology, I feel it is making us weak.  The tactile gift that books give to knowledge, the smell of ink and paper, the sound of a turning page, the feel of papercuts, is one that stays with you.  The sound of keys typing a Google search reminds me of nothing.

Anyway, here's a puppy trying to stay awake.