Just back from hols, and as it's almost October, shriek, I guess lots of people will be done with holidaying for the time being, too.
The perfect time, then, for a quick straw poll. During the PrintWeek readership's many and varied vacances, did you see many people reading ebooks or clutching iPads?
From a personal point-of-view I can report a big fat zero on both counts. And despite the potential appeal of taking my Kindle along viz compact packing (and I wasn't at the beach so no worries about sand or salt), I had a large pile of proper books that I wanted to read so the physical version won out. There was no need to worry about chargers, or being jammy-handed with fingers covered in Ambre Solaire, either.
However, during my trip a chance holiday conversation with a fellow traveller did result in the sort of pass-the-beta-blockers moment usually caused by 'save trees' poppycock.
Said traveller asked what I did for a living and upon being told then responded "but print's dead isn't it?". With enviable restraint I refrained from physical violence, smiled sweetly and pointed out the error of his assumption, thus:
No it is not. Consider the following: You appear to be holding a copy of the Financial Times, and you've already asked to borrow my Economist. Meanwhile, is that a book I can see by your lounger, too? Someone else has already made off with my Grazia. Oh, and this lovely terrace we're sitting on. These ceramic tiles are printed, you know. Using inkjet. It's very clever stuff. And that sun lotion you're slapping on, it's handy that it has a nice label so you know what's inside, isn't it? Ditto the wine we will be gargling later. Oh, and I see chappie over there is studying a map of the region planning his next day trip, despite the fact that he is equipped with the very latest smartphone gadgetry. His wife has her nose in a guide book. Those Spanish chaps in the bar are having a very rowdy game of cards. And I was happily writing a postcard until you shattered my calm with your stupid bloody assertion.
