Matthew on Farcaster

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!

21 replies

0 recast

0 reaction

fil pfp

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

1 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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

1 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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

1 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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

1 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

🪷 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

2 replies

0 recast

0 reaction

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.

1 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

Onium.eth pfp

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

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

Dylan pfp

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.

1 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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.

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

Robert Hackett pfp

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

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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…

3 replies

0 recast

0 reaction

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.

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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.

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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.

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

Shawn pfp

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

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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.

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

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🙈

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction

Outer Lumen (📊,🎨) pfp

Outer Lumen (📊,🎨)

Yup! If I read it … I will reference the material I read to where it was on the page and which side of the book … if I listen … it’s more about mental imagery for memory recall.

0 reply

0 recast

0 reaction