Debates: VERSUS?
John: On this point we agree, especially for narrative trade books. However, interactive content and certain types of educational and nonfiction work — if we can even call them "books" — have their own development and creative cost issues, but that's a discussion for another day.
Conclusions
Choice is a good thing for readers, not a bad thing for books. With today's technology, every book is digital. Because ebooks are less expensive to produce and distribute, require less capital and physical goods, and have no returns, they will become less expensive than their print versions as the industry completes its transition. The data clearly support the projection that ebooks will be the book format of choice for readers who have sufficient access to the required devices and infrastructure. Over time, that will include a very large percentage of humanity, even if that means reading ebooks on smartphones in less developed countries.
John Parsons (john@intuideas.com), former Editorial Director of The Seybold Report, is an independent writer, ghostwriter, and editor. He is the co-author of the interactive printed textbook, Introduction to Graphic Communication, on the art, science and business of print, which has been adopted by Ryerson, Arizona State, the University of Houston, and many other schools and vocational training centers. Custom editions of the book are under consideration by major printing companies and franchises for internal training purposes.