Reading is Vital, but will it be Invisible? Screens vs. Paper on Our Way to the Naturalized Technology of Reading

This analytical position paper aims to open a discussion on the future of the naturalized technology of reading. Our analysis contributes to the discussion that we think scholars in human-computer interaction should adopt from other disciplines. We begin with a seven-level technology pyramid which ends with naturalized technology. We look for the place of paper and digital books in this pyramid, currently somewhere between invisible and vital technologies. We discuss scenarios for the book, using current theories of reading from both philosophical and neuropsychological viewpoints. Finally, we show inspiring quantitative and qualitative data gathered during "total research" into the literary culture. They illustrate the ongoing change in the reading ecosystem.