Still in Print

Considering electronic access to the literature of medicine as all that one needs means settling for a cup that is half-full when it could be overflowing. The content of the literature is just as essential as the access. Smith declares that print imprisons knowledge, that the format of books and journals creates barriers to information [1]. I propose the opposite. First, information is not the same as knowledge. Second, the book is created with a purpose. It has boundaries, and that is exactly why it endures in establishing knowledge. The book is fixed in time; it reflects the author's distinctiveness, background, and stage of career. By examining cited sources, the reader can identify the foundation upon which the author writes and is influenced. A particular work takes its place in the realm of others on that topic and stands or falls in relation to authors before and after. Above all, a book contributes knowledge, perspectives, and beliefs to the reader. Information in electronic format can be changed, enhanced, adapted, or refuted rapidly, a great advantage to scientists. But electronic formats present problems. Who controls the integrity of an electronic manuscript? Who documents the changes? Who identifies the creator? Who ensures the integrity of the original? The book or journal, however, stands for all time as written, whether true or false, important or worthless.