Reading Dr. Pressman’s book, “Bookishness: Loving Books in a Digital Age,” felt like the perfect capstone to this class in the way that everything fell into place and how the book related to many of our discussions. At the beginning of the semester, we discussed how books were once a new technology that sparked wariness and various discussions about their impact. Now, centuries later, a new conversation has spread about our ventures into the digital space and how it would affect books. “On page 26, Pressman writes, “Five hundred years after Gutenberg’s invention, we have become used to books as accessible, ever-present commodities and personal comforts. We forget that the book was once the new media, raising concern about its potential power.” Within this quote, Pressman acknowledges the commodification of books, the evolution of book technology, and how power is deeply entwined with it. Since the beginning of the semester, we have discussed the commodification of books and how it has become a main aspect of books. Books became portable, marketable, and desirable, which is seen in the way that books have become an aesthetic. Anything could be rebranded with the image of a book and it would sell. Another point that Pressman addresses is how books have evolved over time inclduing views on them. During a time where everything is saturated with books and bookish content, it is easy to forget that books were once a new technology that fed many fears. Pressman includes a quote from Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” where the Claude Frollo declares that the book will kill the church and its influence. Despite being centuries ago, the sentiment has remained the same in which we see this same fear as we venture into digital spaces. Finally Pressman ackknowledges the power that books hold. At first glance, it is easy to ignore the importance of books and how they can shape people. She writes, “experimental novels play with the materiality of the book to present narrative allegories that figure the digital as monstrous and the book as a powerful weapon against it.” Books hold an incredible power that challenge the digital realm and it is clear in Pressman’s book that she wants to express this notion.
BOOKS!!
ECL 596. Fall 2025. Professor Jessica Pressman with Anna Culbertson
Like “Bookishness,” this was an excellent way to describe this week’s reading. It’s interesting to see how, throughout time, we have always feared new technologies because we are afraid of how the world could change for the worse. With digital books and more things moving online, there is a palpable fear that everything will disappear from the data input to our attention spans shortening. Though there might be truth in these fears, to combat them, people must want to retain the traits they value and fight for them.
Hey Dakota, I liked how you brought Dr. Pressman’s ideas back into the larger arc of the class. The reminder that books were once “new media” themselves really puts today’s digital fears into perspective. Your point about bookishness becoming an aesthetic also made sense as it shows how easily power and marketing wrap themselves around something we think of as simple or familiar. I also thought the line from Hugo was a great choice. It makes the continuity between past anxieties and today’s discussions feel very clear.