A Human Science Approach to the Essence of Paper Media

Abstract

Owing to the strong affinity to human being, paper media have higher hedonic values that lead to the unique characteristics of “cognitive scientific dominance”. However, in the present digital information society, it is not easy task to foresee the future of paper media based on the conventional viewpoints of market, business and technology.

This paper attempts to provide a variety of new insights into the essences of paper media using innovative manners, that is “Human science”. Interaction between man and paper is simplified as “human-goods relationship”. The essence of paper was analyzed from physical, psychological, philosophical, and sensory viewpoint. For further increase of the affinity, psychophysics is required in the design of paper media. These analyses help elucidating the essentials of “Power of paper” and that the essential areas indispensable of paper media in the contemporary digital society. Overall contents help understanding theoretically the significance of the existence of paper media.