But telegraphs are virtually gone in the western world, X.25 has very few installations. Tech doesn't ever fully die out, since just when it is about to a subculture grows around keeping it alive.
The printed page is centuries if not millennia away from becoming a niche subculture.
We are talking about people who have read at least one book in the last year.
40% - That's exclusively print books.
58% of them own an e-book reader, that's including the iPad.
The charts are a bit hard to read but..
Now, only about 5% bought only e-books. This of course doesn't include borrowed books, library books, etc. MUCH much more people haven't purchased either print or e-books than have purchased only e-books! I hate to generalize but some people, many in the HN crowd, seem to think libraries are "beneath" them or "outdated" but the data suggest otherwise. Paper books are not DRMed after all.
About 38% of people bought only print books. A mix between print and e-books wins out.
Here's the important stat. About 50% said they like print books and e-books. Only 10% said they like e-books only. A FULL 90% OF READERS STILL LIKE PRINT BOOKS!!!!
It's incredibly naive to say they have been replaced. Its beyond obvious anyway, just take a commercial flight and observe people around you reading print books.
The printed page is centuries if not millennia away from becoming a niche subculture.