Opinion, Point vs. Counterpoint

PCP For E-books

The e-book. That simple marvel of human engineering. Who could have guessed it’s supremacy in the argument of book vs. e-book would ever be questioned. Of course e-books are better. What’s the doubt. If there is still any shadow of a doubt in your mind, let me convince you.

If you are like me – a good person, and you love the planet, then e-books are clearly the better option. Where did you think books came from. The sky? No you fool – its trees. Dead trees! I know, it seems so cruel, how can anyone possibly think of killing those majestic creatures. Well its the book lovers that do. Clearly, if you want to prevent another tree from being cut down, then e-books are clearly the better option. Just to throw some figures at you, in the U.S, 30 million trees are cut down each year to print books. Save a life. Get an e-book.

If you are still not convinced (you heartless person, you) I know just what will convince you. Money. No, I am not trying to bribe you. I am only trying to remind of the incredible, ginormous, crazy savings that you get when you buy an e-book or borrow one-permanently from the internet. Where a good old fashioned paperback might set you back about 20 bucks, an e-book will cost you nothing – if you know where to look. Wink wink, nudge nudge. If a textbook from the bookstore costs you an overpriced 80 bucks, the e-book will cost you, again, probably nothing. Again. Wink wink, nudge nudge. Do I really need to say more. This is money people. Money. The stuff of life. The fruit of your co-ops. Do I really need to say more?

Why are you still reading. Go away. How have I not convinced you yet? Fine people. Maybe money isn’t your thing. Well I have just the thing for you. Ever wanted to get your hands on a book really, really badly. Well how did that go? You probably went to the library. Not there. Went to another library? Nope. Ask your friends? Still, Nope. Then you are out of luck bucko. With an e-book it just ain’t the same. It doesn’t matter how rare the book is, if there is an electronic copy, you can get it. I can go on the internet and read straight from the Gutenberg Bible- one of the rarest books in the world, like I have my own copy (it’s in Latin, so more like stare at intensely). Before the e-book, you would have just been out of luck. E-books let you read any book you want. It doesn’t matter how rare it is. How can paper books even compete?

If you are the nostalgic type, then I get it. I remember those days in elementary school when we were all voracious readers, spending our money on those scholastic fairs. Well, it doesn’t feel like that anymore does it. When was the last time you really sat down and got lost in a good book. Don’t lie to me. Don’t worry. We’re all busy people. Life gets in the way. You just don’t have the time to go to the library or book store and take out a book to just read for fun. Don’t worry. E-books have got your back. You can take a book from the comfort of your own home and carry it with you wherever you go. With e-books, you can get back into the habit of reading in a jiffy and you don’t have spend your time wistfully remembering the good old days.

How many people here wish we had lockers. That would be pretty cool. Well we’re not getting them any time soon. So, what to do. How do we carry these textbooks that feel like bricks around with us. You just can’t, without seriously risking some damage to your back. This is where e-books are actually good for your health. You can carry all your textbooks with you, wherever you go, and there are no health risks associated with it at all. It doesn’t even have to be textbooks. When was the last time you were reading a book and really wished you were reading something else. With e-books, you can. Carry all the books you have ever wanted to read with you, all at once. You can always be reading just what you want to be reading.

If you still aren’t convinced. I don’t know what will convince you. E-books are better for the environment and your wallet. They let you read books that are rare and expensive and you wouldn’t be able to get any other way. E-books will help you get back into the habit of reading and relive your middle school years and they’re better for your health. Need I say more? So go out there and get an e-book. You’ll be all the better for it.

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