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comment by Merlin
Merlin  ·  3185 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: We’ve adapted our reading habits to fit our screens, but at a cost.

This is why I don't think the library will ever become obsolete. When you want to actually sit down and commit to reading, in and of itself, there is no better methodology than grabbing a hardback and turning a few pages. Being able to read on electronic devices is great too, don't get me wrong, but I think nowadays people's attention spans are too short/sporadic to be able to filter out all the extra stuff the electronics provide. It's too easy to find yourself in a lull in the text and just skip to some other website or article. I tend to read everything fairly analytically and with focus but I think people like myself are the rarity on the web. Most people are just reading out of boredom or they don't really care about whatever clickbait site they just opened. Much like the article said with keyword skimming, just glancing whatever it is over until you find something that catches your eye. Then you just go to that and start the process over again, never actually committing yourself to mentally digesting whatever information is being presented.

Really interesting topic though. Would you say that this change in reading style is going to push classic literature out the door? Maybe ushering in an entirely new style writing? I can't imagine being able to skim-read anything with real depth to the characters and story.





amouseinmyhouse  ·  3185 days ago  ·  link  ·  

What's going to push text out the door for me is the invention of realistic text to speach. It's the only digital medium that can force me to take in the words with proper timing.

I also suspect authors will start to write for the medium and only lovers of the classics will stick to paper.

Merlin  ·  3185 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Are you talking about something like audiobooks? What if you are in an area where silence is required/preferred?

amouseinmyhouse  ·  3185 days ago  ·  link  ·  

This is more so just my personal preference. I listen to them all the time with ear phones.

Merlin  ·  3185 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I can dig it! Audiobooks are pretty great. I wish I was better at retaining plot lines and hooks when I listen to them. I often find myself missing parts when I'm listening instead of reading.

amouseinmyhouse  ·  3185 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I'm just an audio addict. Most of my learning comes from listening.

smartboy251  ·  3184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

But when you listen to audio, and you have to "reread" or you accidentally missed something, isn't it hasslesome to go back and listen to that part again? I don't have enough faith in my concentration to listen to audiobooks.

amouseinmyhouse  ·  3184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I mean, it depends a lot on the reader, but there's something about people reading information that I just "get". That is, I don't ever really zone out when I'm listening, and I can listen for hours, even if I'm not paying attention, what people say just kinds of seeps in to my head. Plus, with tone and the way things are usually written, I can fill in the gaps if I do miss something pretty well.