Defining a Book in the Electronic Age

[QUEERBOOKS@xxxxxxx]

We generally credit Gutenberg with the start of the mass-produced book.  If
Gutenberg were to come back today there is little that he would recognize.
 He would not be familiar with computers, airplanes, skyscrapers, current
fashions, or most of the food we eat.  But he would recognize a conventional
book.  It's one of the few things in over 500 years that's remained
relatively unchanged.
   As book artists strike out in new directions to explore, expand and
redefine what a book is, the challenge is to create a definition that
encompasses the wide range and interests of the book arts.  The easy
definition is this:  A book is what a book maker makes.  But here's my
definition:  A book is a structure for storing and sharing information.
   When I told this to an audience several years ago, someone exclaimed,
"But, that describes a refrigerator!"  And I replied, "Wow, what a great idea
for a book."
   The three important words in my definition are "structure", "storing" and
"sharing".  Videos, cassettes and computer discs store and share information
and thus fit my definition of a book.  But, when it comes to electronic
books, it's the structure of these electronic containers that leaves me
unimpressed.
   I admire the scroll and cassette-case "crank" books of Stephen Kaplan and
the multi-media creations of Sara Garden Armstrong.  I've even thought about
cracking open a computer disk case to insert pages.  However I want more.  I
want something visually interesting and stimulating that I can touch and
handle.
   The Electronic Age opens new doors.  But it's the loss of the tactile feel
of a tangible object that I miss.  While computer whizzes and
forward-thinking visionaries are soaring into flights of virtual reality, I'm
happy to remain behind wallowing in the pleasures of cradling a physical
object in my hands and savoring the anticipation of turning the next page.
      Ed Hutchins