Tarmac Online

By Thomas Matranga ’26

With the advancements of technology in 2025, no sector has been more fearful or more negatively impacted than the arts. This includes multiple expressions of art such as films, drawings, paintings, and literature. The web significantly affects the market, oversaturating the sector with cheaper forms of artistic expression and downplaying the importance of physical human work in favor of easily accessible online content. The question becomes: why would anybody want a physical copy of something when the information of the world sits in their pocket every day, especially literature? To many, the phone served as the catalyst for the decline of physical books—until it didn’t.

In 2025, Barnes & Noble, one of the largest companies that sells physical books, plans to open an astounding 60 new retail stores in 2026, proving that despite the power of the internet, people still prefer physical copies of their favorite works of art. Here are three reasons why:

1. Pride

Human beings are inherently prideful. We enjoy owning physical objects, whether by showing them off to others or simply for our own personal satisfaction. This universal symbol of individualism is found all over the globe. While we can own books online through PDFs or even a Kindle or Nook, it doesn’t bring the same type of satisfaction that holding a physical copy does. Ironically, our need to flaunt our own hobbies and interests is a large factor in the continued popularity of physical books.

2. Practicality

People like to read books anywhere they wish, especially in places where Wi-Fi doesn’t reach, such as beaches or parks, or where Wi-Fi isn’t usually free, such as office spaces or planes. Despite the “universality of Wi-Fi” in most areas and the necessity of most humans owning phones in their everyday lives (primarily in first- and second-world countries), most people choose physical books because they can read them anywhere. And while some point out cellular data as another way to read while offline, most people wouldn’t want to waste money on the extra data used. In addition, a phone is difficult to read from, which is what most people have on them all the time. Computers and tablets are just too expensive, sensitive, and large to be practically used anywhere.

3. Privacy and Freedom

While we do technically own the phones in our pockets, it has been shown time and time again how easy it is for our information to be taken through hacking, scams, and viruses, among other threats. Humans want the freedom to have what they want, whenever they want, within the security of their own control. It’s a simple fact of life. No matter how much easier it is to read a book online, people still feel as if they have to look over their symbolic shoulder to protect their data and service. One small mistake can cost someone their privacy online, which is a risk many aren’t willing to take.

In conclusion, despite being more expensive and less easily accessible, physical copies of books just can’t seem to die. It appears that even in an ever-advancing technological age, you can’t put a symbolic price on physical books. As shown by their consistent popularity in the market, physical books are here to stay.

Sources: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/12/21/barnes-noble-new-locations-2026/87850873007/