4 ms·

I am unapologetic about my embracing of digital reading. I read a lot of history books and find that access to wikipedia and google earth enhance the experience

I am unapologetic about my embracing of digital reading. I read a lot of history books and find that access to wikipedia and google earth enhance the experience. Not only can I enjoy the book, but I can enrich the experience by taking up extra context from easily available online sources. If you haven't tried it, pick up the ebook of "Voyage of the Beagle" and trace Darwin's travels with google earth and wiki. I assure you that the time you spend "distracted" looking at pictures of Patagonia will be a great time.

edgarvaldes 7y ago
A few years ago I made a plan that I didn't even start: to use Wikipedia and Google Earth to read along Foucault's Pendulum. Now I have taken up the idea again, with the excuse of carrying a "reading book", to illustrate and anotate my reading of long-form works, for which I bought a 200-page notebook and some fine drawing markers. I am sure that one page of Umberto Eco's book will take me hours, but my hope is to inherit the (maybe unfinished) work to my sons.
vo2maxer 7y ago
Your comment illustrates the vast range of reading experiences available now unlike any time before. The important part is the reading, regardless of the medium. No apologies needed for those who would question the form. Leah Price alludes to this in the interview: “Personally, I’m not concerned about the survival of the object; I am very concerned about the survival of those human practices or activities.” I try to do as much as possible across all available reading formats. My requirements are to read, enjoy, and learn.
- numismatex 7y ago
  What's more, an effect of access to information and training that wasn't available before. Like the above poster, referencing information sources and training materials is possible with a few clicks and some typing, copyrighted or not. Which is epic. Who had this level of ability before? The wealthy. I've got some projects in mind that'll enable some interesting training. But while we wait, we've got Appropriate Technology and CD3WD to shore up humanity's advancements in subsistence and basic technology all the way on up to YouTube videos, articles and books on digital financial markets and video game design. There hasn't been an age where the common man can go from zero skill to an initial level of mastery in a day, on almost any topic. I like to take the example of driving stick shift, learning with a YouTube video. The sad part of a lack of reading is in the areas of encyclopedias. WikiPedia is interesting, but more focused than being able to pick up a book, read the next entry. In some ways digital resources and reading are more dead-ended without the dedication and motivation on the part of the reader. I read Brittanica as a kid, out of interest and to finish homework, as well as any thesaurus and dictionaries that were around. What's contextual now? Donation campaigns and ads. Or videos to take you back to the "popular" stuff related to what you were viewing earlier.

edgarvaldes 7y ago

A few years ago I made a plan that I didn't even start: to use Wikipedia and Google Earth to read along Foucault's Pendulum. Now I have taken up the idea again, with the excuse of carrying a "reading book", to illustrate and anotate my reading of long-form works, for which I bought a 200-page notebook and some fine drawing markers. I am sure that one page of Umberto Eco's book will take me hours, but my hope is to inherit the (maybe unfinished) work to my sons.

vo2maxer 7y ago

Your comment illustrates the vast range of reading experiences available now unlike any time before. The important part is the reading, regardless of the medium. No apologies needed for those who would question the form. Leah Price alludes to this in the interview: “Personally, I’m not concerned about the survival of the object; I am very concerned about the survival of those human practices or activities.” I try to do as much as possible across all available reading formats. My requirements are to read, enjoy, and learn.

numismatex 7y ago
What's more, an effect of access to information and training that wasn't available before. Like the above poster, referencing information sources and training materials is possible with a few clicks and some typing, copyrighted or not. Which is epic. Who had this level of ability before? The wealthy. I've got some projects in mind that'll enable some interesting training. But while we wait, we've got Appropriate Technology and CD3WD to shore up humanity's advancements in subsistence and basic technology all the way on up to YouTube videos, articles and books on digital financial markets and video game design. There hasn't been an age where the common man can go from zero skill to an initial level of mastery in a day, on almost any topic. I like to take the example of driving stick shift, learning with a YouTube video. The sad part of a lack of reading is in the areas of encyclopedias. WikiPedia is interesting, but more focused than being able to pick up a book, read the next entry. In some ways digital resources and reading are more dead-ended without the dedication and motivation on the part of the reader. I read Brittanica as a kid, out of interest and to finish homework, as well as any thesaurus and dictionaries that were around. What's contextual now? Donation campaigns and ads. Or videos to take you back to the "popular" stuff related to what you were viewing earlier.