The Indiepub Blog

Print is Boring

August 15, 2005 4:43 PM Posted by mac

I had a realization today: I don't like print.

I've grappled with print for years. My undergraduate degree was in print journalism, which means I was trained, bludgeoned and berated into "loving" the medium. Hell, my graduate degree was in something called "integrated journalism." I've determined this was a fancy way of saying "it's mostly about print, but you'll stare at a computer a lot." With all the time and money I've invested in my journalism education, I forced myself to like print despite some serious misgivings.

But not anymore. I have no desire to work at a magazine or a newspaper. I derive no joy from column inches or word counts or glossy paper stock. Maybe I'm just getting older and crankier, but in my mind, the Web is where it's at.

Now don't get me wrong ... I'm not one of those "print is dead" prophets. Rather, I'm declaring that print is boring. Herein are my bones of contention:

• Print is static -- I'm not a big multimedia guy, but I do believe sound and video will someday integrate seamlessly into the Web experience (yes, my positivity borders on insanity). Print will always be just print.

• Print is one-way -- Print doesn't have an easy feedback mechanism (letters to the editor are not easy). Readers are expected to read, not react, not respond, not discuss.

• Print is confining -- Whenever I write for magazines or newspapers I inevitably find myself worrying about space: Am I writing too long? Too short? How much will I have to cut or add? Ugh. It hurts me. I want to write to the exact length needed to tell the story or make the point. No more. No less.
• Print isn't searchable -- Anyone who's waded through hard-copy archives knows the hell that lies within: mold, mildew, paper cuts ... not fun. The Web has spoiled me with its vast, searchable databases and rapid delivery of information. I won't go back.

Before you printophiles (I'm trademarking that phrase) drop a ream of newsprint on my head, understand that I think print will always have its place. The print sensation is unique: it's infinitely portable, it's pleasantly tactile, it has a built-in esteem (weird, but true). I don't see the Web as print's replacement -- it's simply a different medium that, to me, is far more interesting.

And so I leave you with this: From this day forward, I'm leaving my forced appreciation for print behind. Please try to contain your enthusiasm. -- Mac Slocum

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