I realize I am writing on a computer and posting this to the internet. I am not trying to make a rant about NOT doing things one way. This is a plea more for the both/and of life.

There are some who are trying really hard to go entirely digital. Their libraries, their research, etc., are close to paperless. It’s a noble goal. 

It’s just not a goal I want. I have a Nook that I really like. But there are still certain books I still want to hold in my hands for certain reasons. For my Bible, I like to hold it. I use digital versions if I have to, but I still love marking up a Bible and feeling it in my hands.

I have a lot of books on my Nook now, but I received the Steve Jobs biography in the mail for my birthday. Biographies are one of my favorite genres to read. The reason I love them in book format is I mark the living daylights out of certain passages. It’s a both/and proposition for me.

So, when a Borders goes out of business, I don’t like it. It takes away the possibility of browsing in a place so I can look at things, take in the atmosphere, and talk to actual people. One reason I chose the Nook over the Kindle was I could go into a Barnes and Noble and ask real people real questions.

It’s a digital age. I get that. But there are still people who do things differently. We are still getting a little of the both/and world, and with books we probably always will, but it just feels like we are being shoved into a place not everyone wants to go.

The same with videos. The local Blockbuster location closed. The reason I liked them was I could browse a huge selection. I can always go to Red Box, but that’s limited in scope. I could use Netflix (and it is convenient), but again, there is a loss of the both/and. I have used Red Box, and will obviously now continue to use them. I have utilized the internet as well.

One day we will all be able to not leave the comfort of our own homes because we can download absolutely everything we want. We won’t need to interact with other human beings. We won’t have to put ourselves in danger of being hurt or misunderstood. We will evolve into the shape of our couches and feast on whatever we want, telling the food police where to stick it because we can do whatever we want!

What a glorious day that will be! Our own freedom. Our own mini heart attacks waiting to happen. And no one will know…

But, hey, it will be in the convenience of our own homes.

I like the both/and world. I don’t mind the analog with the digital. Please give me both.