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I don't read. However I go on walks and listen to an hour long podcast or an audiobook the entire time. Audiobooks and podcasts are continually growing in popul

I don't read. However I go on walks and listen to an hour long podcast or an audiobook the entire time. Audiobooks and podcasts are continually growing in popularity. Is this somehow worse than reading?

jdavis703 9y ago
I'd say it's at least different from reading. A book on tape just plays generally, it's streaming information to you. It's kind of like UDP. A book on the other hand is more like TCP. If I miss a point, don't understand something, or am going through a difficult to understand part I can slow my reading pace, or just pause reading and let my mind digest this information. Of course you can hit pause on a podcast or audio book, but I don't think most people do this.
yorby 9y ago
you appear to read HN...
gkya 9y ago
How do you make a note? Underline a phrase or mark a page? Refer someone to a certain passage of the book? When you want to find something, what's the equivalent of a table of contents or index or skimmint through pages? How do you return to the phrase five paragraphs ago that, hearing a certain sentence at present, you realise that you actually misunderstood, and now are confused about the story/subject/topic/&c? Nothing wrong with listening to podcasts or audiobooks per se, but it's nowhere near reading when it comes to fruitful interaction with a source of information, and to transmission of knowledge. Written/printed/digital text is the biggest, most important invention, ever.
- whatshisface 9y ago
  The (article's) author was talking about Proust and friends: that kind of reading is something you really just want to wash over you. If you're taking notes you're either taking a class, teaching a class or not enjoying it very much.
  - gkya 9y ago
    I wasn't responding to the article's author, and the second affirmation of yours is completely subjective and myopic. I very often take notes from my favourite books, even if it's completely leisure reading. Sometimes there's a nice phrase I want to remember, or a mention of a very interesting thing that I want to know more about later.
- megaman22 9y ago
  > Underline a phrase or mark a page? It's so deeply ingrained in me that this is something you do not do that it feels like sacrilege or blasphemy when I see books that are defaced like that. It's not exactly rational, but it's almost impossible to shake at this point. I don't think even my college books have a line of highlighter in them, although there's more than a few sticky notes lurking.
  - gkya 9y ago
    Fermat tends to disagree. I prefer taking notes and quoting phrases on a separate paper block because I want my notes searchable and easily organisable, but I'm okay with writing notes or making marks on a book as long as it's mine.
randomsearch 9y ago
You retain more when you read a book than listen to audio.
dolguldur 9y ago
Audiobooks are a huge win when commuting on the subway. When walking, changing lines, or not having a seat, you can continue to listen, whereas with a book you’d frequently have to stop. And for all those driving cars they’re also a huge win.

jdavis703 9y ago

I'd say it's at least different from reading. A book on tape just plays generally, it's streaming information to you. It's kind of like UDP. A book on the other hand is more like TCP. If I miss a point, don't understand something, or am going through a difficult to understand part I can slow my reading pace, or just pause reading and let my mind digest this information. Of course you can hit pause on a podcast or audio book, but I don't think most people do this.

yorby 9y ago

you appear to read HN...

gkya 9y ago

How do you make a note? Underline a phrase or mark a page? Refer someone to a certain passage of the book? When you want to find something, what's the equivalent of a table of contents or index or skimmint through pages? How do you return to the phrase five paragraphs ago that, hearing a certain sentence at present, you realise that you actually misunderstood, and now are confused about the story/subject/topic/&c? Nothing wrong with listening to podcasts or audiobooks per se, but it's nowhere near reading when it comes to fruitful interaction with a source of information, and to transmission of knowledge. Written/printed/digital text is the biggest, most important invention, ever.

whatshisface 9y ago
The (article's) author was talking about Proust and friends: that kind of reading is something you really just want to wash over you. If you're taking notes you're either taking a class, teaching a class or not enjoying it very much.
- gkya 9y ago
  I wasn't responding to the article's author, and the second affirmation of yours is completely subjective and myopic. I very often take notes from my favourite books, even if it's completely leisure reading. Sometimes there's a nice phrase I want to remember, or a mention of a very interesting thing that I want to know more about later.
megaman22 9y ago
> Underline a phrase or mark a page? It's so deeply ingrained in me that this is something you do not do that it feels like sacrilege or blasphemy when I see books that are defaced like that. It's not exactly rational, but it's almost impossible to shake at this point. I don't think even my college books have a line of highlighter in them, although there's more than a few sticky notes lurking.
- gkya 9y ago
  Fermat tends to disagree. I prefer taking notes and quoting phrases on a separate paper block because I want my notes searchable and easily organisable, but I'm okay with writing notes or making marks on a book as long as it's mine.

randomsearch 9y ago

You retain more when you read a book than listen to audio.

dolguldur 9y ago

Audiobooks are a huge win when commuting on the subway. When walking, changing lines, or not having a seat, you can continue to listen, whereas with a book you’d frequently have to stop. And for all those driving cars they’re also a huge win.