'Fast reading'

[misterreplicant]

One of my friends and I happened to be reading the same book, The Odyssey. (I also love sci-fi, so I read 2 books at once, an older book, and a sci-fi one, I try to read a chapter of each a night, anyways...) My friend and I were sitting in the same classroom; our desks were next to each other. All is content, until I hear him proclaim, "I am further than you." This angers me, though I do not know why.

I try to explain to him why fast reading is not the best, but accurate reading. Also, how I read The Odyssey's introduction and am reading all the endnotes and footnotes, while his is just the story. Also, the fact that I am splitting my time with a sci-fi book as well, which I cherish. He insists that I read slow.

Just out of curiosity, if you were in my place, what would you do? Because, I know this is not the last time this will happen to me by the same person, and I need reassurance.

Thank you.

[Patrick_Bateman]

Punch him/her

[kiki1982]

haha, yes that ould also be my hunch!

No, er, can he still tell you exactly what happened in that same book, plus motivations and thoughts on those things in ten years? I bl**dy well can and I read slowly.

[Alexander III]

Punch him/her

What he said

[ClaesGefvenberg]

I try to explain to him why fast reading is not the best, but accurate reading.I agree, but the two are in no way mutually exclusive. We have discussed reading speed vs. reading comprehension before, and I would suggest a peek at those previous threads:

How fast do you people read, and how did you get that way? (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35014)
Speed reading (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27082)


Just out of curiosity, if you were in my place, what would you do? Because, I know this is not the last time this will happen to me by the same person, and I need reassurance.If you feel like grappling with him, you could challenge him with a speed reading test. One of the threads I mentioned contains a link to a reasonable one. If it was me, however, I would smile at him and say: '-You are probably right...' That should disarm him.

/Claes

[fb0252]

older u get, slower u read. congrats on taking on the Odyssey! might challenge to a comprehension test.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

older u get, slower u read.Yes, as you get older the eyesight becomes the limiting factor.

/Claes

[billl]

I agree, but the two are in no way mutually exclusive. We have discussed reading speed vs. reading comprehension before, and I would suggest a peek at those previous threads:


I haven't seen anything but anecdotal evidence that speed reading increases (or achieves equal) levels of comprehension. Claes, you said in the other threads that you had good speed-reading habits as a youngster: Have you ever slow-read a book (without becoming very impatient)? :) Are in a position to judge between the two? Are you the OP's "friend"? :p

When I apply speed-reading techniques, it seems like a subtle pun (for example) might be missed, and the abandonment of sub-vocalization leads to the loss of some 'information' about a narrator or character's speaking rhythm, eloquence, even mood etc.

Furthermore, while we should not look to Wikipedia as a sacrosanct guide, you provided a link to Wikipedia's article on speed reading in the other threads, and that article is unequivocal about the (often acceptable) reduction in comprehension that accompanies speed-reading. The article may have drastically changed since you posted it, but the only time speed-reading is mentioned as out-performing slow-reading (in that article) was in situations in which there was a time-limit that favored speed-readers.

[Lover]

I'd probably get pissed off, think less of the person etc. I would tell him/her to keep his/her opinions on this the speed of reading to him/herself and would reconsider the friendship if he/she didn't.

I read about 2-3 times quicker than most people and I tend to have good comprehension, but I do say the words in my head (my head voice speaks faster than my normal voice), I don't recall anything if I just skim.

[misterreplicant]

I like your reasoning, Lover.

I am not going to challenge this person to a test.

I am only 15, my eyesight should be fine, and he is a bit older, but still 15 and his should be fine too.

Thank you for all your responses. I think my anger has an ulterior cause though. One of my other best friends, which my other friend (the book one) talks to a lot, somehow makes jokes about what he reads (usually greek mythology) to him (who doesn't read mythology), such as... "The God of smite wasn't invited to the greek god's party? Stupid mistake!! WHY didn't THEY INVITE THE GOD OF SMITE???" And embellishes a lot, and sometimes the jokes are a bit inaccurate. (it was the God of Discord, not smite...) It can get annoying sometimes, and I have a sense of humor that if I can't get a joke perfect, or if there is nothing to joke about, I don't joke.
...
Sorry for my little 'vent' session there...

Thank for your posts though!! :D

[Three Sparrows]

I read The Odyssey and it did not take me too long, but that was because the translation (in my opinion) was terrible. There was nothing to it. Right now, the Iliad translation I am reading is so much better than the Odyssey one, but it is also taking me longer to read. It could just be that you guys are reading different translations that effect the speed of reading also.
So yeah, besides recommending that you tell him to pay more attention to the book he has in front of him and less on yours, that is all I have to say.

[Dark Muse]

What does it matter if he reads faster than you? Or thinks you are a slow reader. Everyone reads at their own pace. Personally I would just ignore their comments if some how they think that how far along they are in a book is a competition. You don't really need to justify yourself to them or prove anything. I myself always took longer to finish books because I was a slow reader, as well I read more than one thing at a time, but it is no big deal and it is not something to be embarrassed about.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Keep reading at your speed. If he is a good friend, tell him to go **** himself. That's usually what I do with my friends. Also, next time he screws up a joke, point it out, and then suggest to him that maybe reading slower would help with his apparently low reading comprehension.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Have you ever slow-read a book (without becoming very impatient)? :) Slow-read? No, (not without becoming very impatient).


Are in a position to judge between the two? Judge? I try not to.


Are you the OP's "friend"? :pNot yet, but he seems like a nice enough bloke. Anyway, the fact that we have the Atlantic ocean between our locations indicates that we have never shared a classroom. :hand: There is also a 36 year age difference.


I am not going to challenge this person to a test.Good decision.


I am only 15, my eyesight should be fine, and he is a bit older, but still 15 and his should be fine too.While mine is not, alas.


Sorry for my little 'vent' session there...You are welcome..


/Claes

[mortalterror]

Challenge him to a reading competition, then while he's busy reading the Odyssey, go into the next room and **** his wife.

[Big Dante]

Punch him/her

This is probably the best solution.

It doesn't matter how quickly you read because it's better than not reading at all.

[ladderandbucket]

Speed reading great works of literature seems rather decadent. I don't imagine many books are intended to be read as quickly as possible, least of all the Odyssey.

[TheChilly]

I'd keep reading, and not worry about whether you're further than another or not.

It's what I'd do.

[Vonny]

I agree that everyone should read at his or her own pace and not be made to feel bad about it.

I wonder if your friend is trying to be obnoxious when he says he's further along than you, or if he's just making a comment.

Or possibly when you tell him that it's better to read slowly and accurately, if your opinion upsets him a little. Maybe he's ribbing you a bit because he sees that you are a bit "touchy" in this area, and that you are very set in your judgment about his reading method.

We can't know for sure that, for every individual, reading slow is superior to reading fast, no matter how many people line up and say that it is.

I have a friend whose reading ability I admire. She reads very fast and seems to enter an altered state of consciousness that allows her to absorb a story. Thankfully she isn't the type to gloat about it. Her reading is something like Claes describes. (I wonder how "Claes" is pronounced. Is it "Clays"? "Class"? "Clees"??) I don't feel that fast reading is decadent. Take Claes for instance, I think he has an appreciation for literature, enjoys reading immensly and has derived a lot of benefit from his reading. And I don't think he's boasting here, he's just saying that for him reading fast and with comprehension go hand in hand, and he's letting people know that this possibility exists in case people want to pursue this goal. I'm glad to know that certain people have this ability, because I want very much to develop this in myself. And I think it's fortunate for Claes that his parents didn't tell him, "You're reading the wrong way. You need to read slowly."

It seems to me reading literature is about keeping an open mind, and so when someone comes along who has a special ability and tells us about it, why try to discredit them or label their behavior as decadent? And if we research Wikipedia, or whatever, it's just more information, and we can sift through it and decide for ourselves.

If, when someone comes along who tells us, "Hey, I've discovered this great talent!", we just shoo them away and say that it can't be real, well, I wonder if those people will eventually just go away and not bother to share what they know with us anymore. And that would be a loss... if everyone had the same opinion and other voices don't feel welcome or appreciated.

One more thing, reading literature is about learning from the old guys who attended a different school from us, since not too many masterpieces were written by 15 year-olds.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

I wonder how "Claes" is pronounced. Is it "Clays"? "Class"? "CleesIt should be pronounced "Claas". :smile5:
I have a friend whose reading ability I admire. She reads very fast and seems to enter an altered state of consciousness that allows her to absorb a story.I can relate to that. When I get going it is not very easy to tear my attention away from the book... or so I'm told.
I think he has an appreciation for literature, enjoys reading immensly and has derived a lot of benefit from his reading.Correct on all accounts.

/Claes