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preservation and persistence of the changing book

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Materiality of Reading

The materiality of the codex consists of the physical features of the codex and their roles in conveying meaning. The materiality of the codex can also be considered comparatively and more urgently as knowledge transmission migrates to the screen.

The consistent and persistent physical experience of manipulating and reading the codex enables a universality of the reader’s experience across time and culture. Haptic features such as portability, inter-shelving, page turning and fan access, standardize an ergonomic environment in which comprehension can occur. Evidence indicates that the physical manipulation of the codex augments positioning and retention of concepts. As a reading technology the codex accentuates focus.

Later reading technologies as presented on a screen, separate the act of comprehension from the act of reading since the reader is no longer the interface. The device itself and its network transaction, search pathways and visual screen drawings accompany the reader’s reception of the content. The mimic of traditional modes, such as the codex page, requires constant software mediation for navigation. Also overlooked, is the need for electricity. Connectivity interruptions, default browser line lengths and screen drawing errors interfere with reading and there is no page more illegible than a dark screen.

But, the displacement from page turning to cursor scrolling may not be that consequential for the role of materiality. For the reader, text presented in a paper book is no more embodied than the text presented on a computer. The hands are prompting the mind in both instances.

What if the precept of an individual reader is extended to a readership or an aggregate of readers across time and culture? In this context the paper book is more embodied than the computer. The book travels across generations of computers. The screen based reading device is discarded every five years. The paper book sustains physical continuity across lifetimes. What are the implications of disposable scripture? Surprisingly, there is not that much hand ringing over the persistence of electronic resources. It is frequently mentioned that the computer can “store” vastly greater quantities of documentary materials. But for how long?

Persistence is a material attribute of the paper book. The fourth century codices found in a jar at Nag Hammadi were immediately readable after 16 centuries. In a few decades they have enriched the understanding of precursive sources of New Testament scripture and have enriched the understanding of sectarian philosophy of the period. Just as miraculous, we know that they were unmodified during that long time. These are the papyrus originals. Perhaps this embodiment across time and culture is the out-of-body transmission that most mystifies us about books.

Paper books survive neglect and the reader’s mortality. They persist in times of our disregard and disinterest, In terms of text conveyed, they don’t change. They actually defy us. That embodiment may be the foundation of the materiality of the book.

(to be continued)