Naslov
Symbolic power of (e)books

Autori
Velagić, Zoran

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, ostalo

Skup
By the Book6. Power dynamics in publishing

Mjesto i datum
Firenca, Italija, 26.06.2019. - 27.06.2019

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
symbolic value of book ; book industry ; publishing studies

Sažetak
This paper focuses on the symbolic value of the book in modern digital culture – the concept which has been intrinsic to book media since the Middle Ages, and which has been present in research since the first monograph that approached publishing as a global phenomenon, Robert Escarpit’s The Revolution of Paperback. The book industry has been considered as a prestigious keystone (Greco 2006, 51) and the books in codex form have been considered as unique symbols of intellectual and cultural continuity in Western civilisation (Kovač 2008, 10). Since the 19th century the book has been the carrier of knowledge and culture and a symbol of civilisation placed on a pedestal (van der Well 2011, 94-95). The discussion is based on the literature overview and interviews conducted with different stakeholders in the book business (publishers, booksellers, readers, and professional users). The literature covers beliefs in book’s symbolic prestige and trust in its intellectual power. However, this paper demonstrates that changes in the broad span of typical practices built around printed books, from intimate inscriptions such as book courses, dedications or ownership marks, to community recognitions through prizes or festivals, contribute to the changes of the book image as a symbolic item. E-books as texts with the possibility of substrate-shifting are not considered to be carriers of symbolic value associated with printed books, but, at least in theory, are marked with symbolism of progress and freedom.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Informacijske i komunikacijske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA