Matthew on Warpcast

Matthew pfp

When you read vs listen to a book, do you notice any specific differences in how you comprehend or absorb the material at hand? I'm starting to learn about myself that I really need both. I'm reading Rick Rubin's book now after having listened to it and it feels like a completely different experience!

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fil pfp

Honest question: can you say you read a book if you listened to it? I see many people doing that

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Jackson 🎩🍖 pfp

Jackson 🎩🍖

Reading because I don’t think it’s effective to consume linearly. With listening I find myself simulating how I read by rewinding all the time. There’s no thinking time with listening

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Ishika pfp

I prefer reading it forces me to actually pay attention. When I purely listen without having anything to focus my eyes on, I tend to not absorb anything at all, the information goes into one ear and out the other lol

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Eddie Wharton pfp

I comprehend less with audiobooks, but deeply enjoy that I can consume books on a subway It’s also great when authors read their audiobooks

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🪷 pfp

I prefer reading for the memory of a spatial experience. With kindle, it's more of 2-dimensional space instead of a 3-dimensional physical book. Listening to a book is good for longer drives, though I'd probably listen to a podcast instead

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Ayoola John pfp

I used to listen to audiobooks a ton; now i prefer reading the physical books. Feels like a nice break from digital things.

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Onium.eth pfp

If I dont read with an audio book, I can read a whole paragraph without retaining any information 😂

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T. Dylan Daniel | PageDAO pfp

T. Dylan Daniel | PageDAO

Both is the way to go IMO! Currently reading & listening to Life, by Keith Richards. It is amazing. I discovered this method back in school, read Leviathan with a group of overachieving grad students who realized it wasn't in our curriculum, then listened to a delightfully narrated version read by a British guy. Epic.

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hex0x_life pfp

I retain information more acutely when reading. I like having the ability to reread a passage and skip through / back reference other pages. Another added bonus for me is experiencing the voice of the writer firsthand.

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Robert Hackett pfp

Audio maxi, but not for books with lots of math, dates, numbers

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moreReese pfp

I’m an audiobook-phile. If your goal is to comprehend or absorb (vs passive entertainment) here’s my biggest tip: Listen while you’re walking. And actively engage your imagination by envisioning scenes/excerpts in physical space. For example…

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Uncle Davo pfp

My mind can’t wander as much while listening to an audiobook. While reading I can pause, think about something, then return to the material. I use both for different things.

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zico pfp

when I really want to absorb the material, I get both (since audio is my preferred way of reading) they say highlighting does nothing for retention, but I don't think the studies done on this were conducted with people who listen & highlight text may still be true for retention, but not for the unconscious mind.

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Renee Bigelow pfp

+1 on both if I really want to retain knowledge. Otherwise audio first for exposure to new ideas and concepts. Text first for enjoyment and entertainment.

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Shawn pfp

I find it much easier to focus reading over listening. When listening, I find it much easier to lose the thread.

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marco pfp

Very interesting question. I recently read a paperback – it's been a while. Having to keep the book open with my hands felt surprisingly annoying. Like others have mentioned, I find it hard to comprehend enough detail through audio books. I guess it depends on what else is happening apart from listening.

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Petri pfp

I used to read but now mainly just consume audio formats now. Easier to recall and comprehend hard topics (new to me or harder to grasp e.g. physics) by reading. Yet, most of the material I can consume 2-3x audio speed.

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Alex Caswen pfp

When I read books I’ll hear a soundtrack or the voices of the person who wrote the book as a narrator, & if I’ve listened to a portion of the audio book first that’ll prime my mind & make the experience better Often I don’t even need to buy the audiobook just listen to the free sample

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Mike pfp

Reading always. I found that whoever is reading adds their emotions to it. They not just read it in one tone lol I prefer to choose how it feels for me, if that makes sense🙈

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