Digital technology has made a lot of words obsolete, but
perhaps even more interesting than those cluttering the digital dustbin are the
words that despite their illogic persist in current parlance. Two that come to
mind are taping and filming.
Not much is taped or filmed these days. Even major Hollywood
studios have switched largely to digital formats, though a good bit of 35mm
filming continues. Film provides a warmth and color range that many directors
believe digital cannot quite deliver. Nonetheless, expense and convenience rule
the day and film is in the preponderate minority.
Likewise in audio recording there exists a school of thought
that 2” magnetic tape, notably for drums, delivers a natural compression
that can only be captured on analog media. Even so, most recordings released
these days are recorded in digital formats.
With common popular recording, on cell phones or using
contemporary recording devices, almost no one is filming to videotape or recording to audiotape.
Yet, the process of digital audio and video capture is quite commonly referred
to as taping or filming. Other such misnomers include dialing a phone number
and doing paperwork in your office that never ends up on paper. Can you think
of any others?
