Hubby reads very fast. He finished each of the Safehold* books in two days. When he’s reading I just dust him off from time to time, and hand his a sandwich every four hours.
*This is a sci-fi series by David Weber, about a group of colonists who escape to an earth-like planet just before this planet is destroyed. Most of the books are 600 pages, but one is almost 1,000. The first book is Off Armageddon Reef and you really need to read them in order.
When I was in grammar school, Sight Reading was the new method for teaching reading and spelling – replacing the old fashioned phonics and rote methods. Then Speed Reading became the vogue, teaching us to read and absorb material faster.
What of course suffered was spelling, pronunciation, and grammar.
Like many of my generation, I was an excellent reader but couldn’t spell worth a damn.
It wasn’t until I took Latin and French in high school that I learned how to pronounce and spell phonetically.
To this day, I am horrible at spelling in English ( Thank God for Spell Check ). My pronunciation, spelling, and grammar is much better in foreign languages than English.
Do kids today read very much? I think not because proper spelling and grammar would throw them for a loop. Books are not written (thank goodness) like the gibberish that passes for communication on twitter or even email. I think also that we may be coming full circle back to grunts to communicate.
Nobody wants to learn the fundamentals (for reading, phonetics, spelling, and grammar, for math, basic arithmetic). Of course, fiascoes like the earlier “New Math” and recent “Common Core” don’t help (have you seen some of the examples?). There is no profession where mastery can be achieved without “basic training”. It’s like building muscle memory for sports or martial arts. It requires rote repetition, but once it’s in there, it will stay a long time.
In a college course (long ago and far away), we were required to read Moby Dick in a week, starting on a Monday with a test on the following Monday. The test questioned us on obscure passages or incidents in the story (there is a story in there, by the way). After the test, the professor made his point; literature was intended to be read slowly and carefully, savored like a fine brandy for its bouquet and subtleties. I found his point well made, in my case, and gave up “speed reading” for “pleasurable reading.” Take a tip from Kate, Danae. You won’t regret it.
(And once upon a time, long ago, I also discovered Playboy; but other than the jokes, I confess I read very little of it.)
A few weeks development for the app – great. In fact, the app might already exist. No mention of how long each book will take to download using the app, though.
I’m guessing that running the app will take approximately 3-5 min/page.
There will need to be some sort of Brain Interface Device involved, as well – perhaps a headset or speakers. If speakers are used, then the app could simultaneously download the same book into multiple brains at once.
There is a story that author Harlan Ellison saw a man speed reading one of his books on an airplane flight. He confronted the person over it and offered to purchase it from him since he wrote every word to be read, not skipped.
Growing up, I hit the maximum number of books allowed out at a time, and I had them all finished before they were due… I think it was 15 at a time, for 3 weeks. And most were 200-700 pages each. Big difference then versus now; internet was dial-up, and no netflix, youtube, or various social media sites…
Enter.Name.Here over 6 years ago
Instant gratification is for losers. The best part is the trip getting there.
Bilan over 6 years ago
The funnier part will be when Jeffrey gives her a large instruction book for the app.
sandpiper over 6 years ago
Jeffrey takes his wins where he finds ’em. Go Jeffrey!!
Dani Rice over 6 years ago
Hubby reads very fast. He finished each of the Safehold* books in two days. When he’s reading I just dust him off from time to time, and hand his a sandwich every four hours.
*This is a sci-fi series by David Weber, about a group of colonists who escape to an earth-like planet just before this planet is destroyed. Most of the books are 600 pages, but one is almost 1,000. The first book is Off Armageddon Reef and you really need to read them in order.
Linguist over 6 years ago
When I was in grammar school, Sight Reading was the new method for teaching reading and spelling – replacing the old fashioned phonics and rote methods. Then Speed Reading became the vogue, teaching us to read and absorb material faster.
What of course suffered was spelling, pronunciation, and grammar.
Like many of my generation, I was an excellent reader but couldn’t spell worth a damn.
It wasn’t until I took Latin and French in high school that I learned how to pronounce and spell phonetically.
To this day, I am horrible at spelling in English ( Thank God for Spell Check ). My pronunciation, spelling, and grammar is much better in foreign languages than English.
Radish... over 6 years ago
I took the Evelyn Wood Speed Reading course but I keep moving my lips.
Ermine Notyours over 6 years ago
Just get the audio book.
pnmiq over 6 years ago
Do kids today read very much? I think not because proper spelling and grammar would throw them for a loop. Books are not written (thank goodness) like the gibberish that passes for communication on twitter or even email. I think also that we may be coming full circle back to grunts to communicate.
Nick Danger over 6 years ago
Nobody wants to learn the fundamentals (for reading, phonetics, spelling, and grammar, for math, basic arithmetic). Of course, fiascoes like the earlier “New Math” and recent “Common Core” don’t help (have you seen some of the examples?). There is no profession where mastery can be achieved without “basic training”. It’s like building muscle memory for sports or martial arts. It requires rote repetition, but once it’s in there, it will stay a long time.
stick&rudder over 6 years ago
I began to love reading at 13 (or so) when I discovered Playboy Magazine…
Bookworm over 6 years ago
In a college course (long ago and far away), we were required to read Moby Dick in a week, starting on a Monday with a test on the following Monday. The test questioned us on obscure passages or incidents in the story (there is a story in there, by the way). After the test, the professor made his point; literature was intended to be read slowly and carefully, savored like a fine brandy for its bouquet and subtleties. I found his point well made, in my case, and gave up “speed reading” for “pleasurable reading.” Take a tip from Kate, Danae. You won’t regret it.
(And once upon a time, long ago, I also discovered Playboy; but other than the jokes, I confess I read very little of it.)
johnec over 6 years ago
A few weeks development for the app – great. In fact, the app might already exist. No mention of how long each book will take to download using the app, though.
I’m guessing that running the app will take approximately 3-5 min/page.
There will need to be some sort of Brain Interface Device involved, as well – perhaps a headset or speakers. If speakers are used, then the app could simultaneously download the same book into multiple brains at once.
GROG Premium Member over 6 years ago
What brain?
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 6 years ago
There is a story that author Harlan Ellison saw a man speed reading one of his books on an airplane flight. He confronted the person over it and offered to purchase it from him since he wrote every word to be read, not skipped.
Kali over 6 years ago
See you in a couple of years, Jeffrey….
mr_sherman Premium Member over 6 years ago
For a fun Sci-Fi read, check out the “Space Team” series by Barry J. Hutchinson.
jlariviere1 over 6 years ago
Growing up, I hit the maximum number of books allowed out at a time, and I had them all finished before they were due… I think it was 15 at a time, for 3 weeks. And most were 200-700 pages each. Big difference then versus now; internet was dial-up, and no netflix, youtube, or various social media sites…