The future of books in an Electronic Era

This paper will be concerned with the future of books and other print media in an Electronic Era. It is a legitimate concern because historically there have been societal changes connected with the introduction of new communication technology. As an example, when printing drove out the script some 500 years ago it revolutionized science, religion and politics. Printing made it possible for political tracts, sermons and textbooks to reach thousands of people. Many were encouraged to read. Similar changes followed Alexander Graham Bell's telephone invention, Edison's phonograph and DeForest's triad vacuum tube. As societies move into the information age and include more electronic media what will be the future of literacy in that society? Will an illiterate adult need to know how to read in an automated intelligent environment when machines can be programmed to speak? What do we knw about aliterate individuals? Those who can read, but do not or only read under compulsion. Is it possible to have a paperless society? Major focus and implications will be drawn to point to the impact of electronic technology on reading and consequences.