Teuber, the Minister of Education, demands the book. - Education Minister Teuber demands the book.
Education Minister Sven Teuber, a self-proclaimed "book nerd," has expressed his preference for traditional books over electronic counterparts. In an interview with the German Press Agency in Mainz, Teuber, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), emphasized his admiration for physical books, stating, "I need the book. The book is a cultural treasure to me."
Teuber voiced concern about the dominance of e-books, particularly in the marketplace, arguing that they cater primarily to bestsellers, leaving little room for small publishers and their works. He asserted, "That's very, very corporate and market-oriented. But the book is art and culture."
Currently, Teuber is immersed in Benjamin Labatut's novel "Maniac," which delves into the life and work of Hungarian-American mathematician John von Neumann, algorithms, and the development of atomic bombs. The minister found the book "very exciting."
General discourse about the German book market and small publishers highlights concerns about how e-books impact traditional print sales, particularly for smaller publishers who rely on physical bookstore presence and traditional readership habits. While e-books offer convenience and cost savings, traditional books remain significant in Germany's print-oriented market, maintaining cultural and economic importance. However, without directly consulting Teuber's published writings or interviews, it is unclear if his views align fully with this general perspective.
Teuber proposed a serious consideration for the impact of e-books on community-based vocational training programs for small publishers, as the lack of physical book sales could potentially limit the opportunities for vocational training in the book-making and publishing industry. Moreover, he suggested that the excessive focus on e-books might discourage young individuals frombell to picking up books as a form of entertainment, restricting the ability to engage in the rich art and culture of physical books.
