According to Professer Reuss, screens or devices between the reader and the consistency of the text only distract. We all felt concerned when he mentioned our figgity behavior in front of a computer, switching from our email page to the news and taking a glimpse at Facebook in between. Modern devices imply distraction, therefore we shouldn’t neglect the individualized form of concentration that a book offers. In Roland Reuss’ view, books are merely a printed file, but a product with a final destination that we can pick up in 50 years in somebodies dusty shelf. He compares critical voices saying people who defend books today are like the people who used to defend handwritten books in the olden days of Gutenberg, to those who believe that there is no alternative to nuclear power. While he agrees that the internet is an unlimited source of information, he stresses the point that we must make a clear distinction between knowledge and information.

For Reuss, the investments of publishing houses should not be underestimated. Quality is necessary for pertinent information and for people to have access to knowledge. Perhaps we should all consider sliding a book into our laptop sleeve once in while!