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> And we "binge" on TV shows now which didn't really exist in the 70s. Isn't that an improvement overall? You decide you want to watch something and you watch

by flukus 8y ago

> And we "binge" on TV shows now which didn't really exist in the 70s. Isn't that an improvement overall? You decide you want to watch something and you watch until it's finished. Media consumption habits in the TV era were much more passive and a lot of people would watch a show just because it was on. "There's nothing good on TV" used to be a common lamentation, I wouldn't be surprised if this generation is better at switching off entirely if there isn't content they want. > A third of teens haven't read a book in the last year I doubt it makes up the short fall, but does anyone know how well the audio book industry is doing since sites like Audible cropped up? I haven't read a book in some time now but I've listened to several because they have several advantages over reading and the only disadvantage I can think of would by for someone trying to improve their reading ability.

tapland 8y ago
Reading ability must be the goal with the criticism though? If it's just listening to a story you might as well watch it, or play it.
- forthefuture 8y ago
  Many people listen to audiobooks in situations where they can't watch or play things, like driving or working out.
  - psychedelic 8y ago
    Exactly. I've gone through 12 audio books this year while I drive to and from work. I can't say I retain as much as I would if I had read them, but I also wouldn't have read any of them due to time constraints.
- flukus 8y ago
  There's a lot more to take away from books than just reading ability and story. You have to imagine/visualise the world the author is painting so it's a creative effort. You're inside the characters, hearing their experiences, thoughts and motivations which teaches empathy. The latter especially is typically missing from other mediums or done in a much more shallow way through flashbacks or exposition and is usually the reason "the book was better than the movie". All that does come across in audio books though, you just miss the actual reading and imagining the voices.

by flukus 8y ago

tapland 8y ago

Reading ability must be the goal with the criticism though? If it's just listening to a story you might as well watch it, or play it.

forthefuture 8y ago
Many people listen to audiobooks in situations where they can't watch or play things, like driving or working out.
- psychedelic 8y ago
  Exactly. I've gone through 12 audio books this year while I drive to and from work. I can't say I retain as much as I would if I had read them, but I also wouldn't have read any of them due to time constraints.
flukus 8y ago
There's a lot more to take away from books than just reading ability and story. You have to imagine/visualise the world the author is painting so it's a creative effort. You're inside the characters, hearing their experiences, thoughts and motivations which teaches empathy. The latter especially is typically missing from other mediums or done in a much more shallow way through flashbacks or exposition and is usually the reason "the book was better than the movie". All that does come across in audio books though, you just miss the actual reading and imagining the voices.