Tom Glocer on the Re-invention of Paper

Former TRI CEO Tom Glocer recently contributed a post to The Economist's Lean Back 2.0 blog. A quick snip:

While in my original post [iPad and Beyond, April 5, 2010] I accurately (but none too bravely) predicted future versions of the iPad would have 3G/wifi connectivity, a longer battery life and a better screen, we have not yet seen my bolder prediction of lightweight digital plastic sheets becoming the new print medium. This will come. As has often been noted, technology appears to evolve slowly in the near-term and then very rapidly over longer timespans as we consistently underestimate the compounding effects of incremental development.

While the iPad3 I use today is an impressive and enjoyable machine, it is but a hint of things to come.  Many await Apple’s entry into full screen home television – likely with a further evolved Siri voice control; however, I am still waiting for the re-invention of paper. That’s right, paper. What we call paper today has evolved over centuries from stretched animal skins to papyrus to wood paper pulp. It is lightweight, foldable, easily transportable, readable in bright light and relatively cheap. However, in its current “wooden” form, it is not immediately reusable, not searchable and comes with an environmental cost.

(Emphasis added.) For more, see Glocer's The iPad and the future of paper. Do note which new electronic publisher he has invested some money in.

Endnote. It appears that Glocer will be contributing additional posts to The Economist's Lean Back 2.0 blog. From What Is Lean Back 2.0?:

This Lean Back 2.0 blog aims to examine, discuss and track the impact that new digital reading devices, particularly tablets, are having on both reader behaviours and media businesses. Written primarily by Andrew Rashbass, chief executive of The Economist Group, it also includes thinking from commentators across the media, publishing, advertising and technology industries.

Why do we call this blog Lean Back 2.0? The print age created a Lean Back experience with reading as a solitary, ritual pleasure. The web age introduced Lean Forward as readers began to embrace information from multiple sources, actively researching and sharing content. Tablets and eReaders are driving yet another profound change in our relationship with content. They have made reading an immersive, lean-back experience again and created new opportunities to read. This is Lean Back 2.0.

[JH]