Pragmatics

One answer might be based simply on professional pragmatics. This is a printed paper because only printed papers constitute creditable work in our discourse community. Writing is a major element in our (written or unwritten) job descriptions. For many of us, especially theorists, printed work is the most important criterion of professional judgement. By publishing in journals, books, and conference proceedings we earn recognition from our colleagues and superiors. We work in print because our professional communities (the university, the research institute, the corporation) authorize no other options.

MORE HOME MAP INDEX