The Great Debate: At Least in our House
The following exchange is worth publishing on the front end of this blog, in additon to the comment section. Please feel free to weigh in on the debate: When is processing every word of a book, not considered "reading" said book? Or in simpler terms: are audio book readers, really readers? Discuss.
five in six said...
So, are these books you have actually read with your eyes, or books you have "read" with your ears as you are so fond of doing while you drive to and from work?
johnnyvano said...
Ahh... I am continually harrassed about the fact that I read a good sum of books as I drive one-hour each way to work. I am making the most of my time by improving my mind, and I am maligned. I could see the criticism if I NEVER read a paper book and was lazy or illiterate, but that is not the case. There is an even distribution of paper books and audio books in my yearly repertoire. The debate is that some feel and audio book does not constiute a "read." But my argument is the word "read" is how we communicate that a book has been ingested and enjoyed--we do not yet have the terminology to describe how a book was ingested. But you know what? My mind has processed every word and every element of the story just as if I had read the book in a traditional method; should I be penalized because my eyes were not involved with that process?
So, are these books you have actually read with your eyes, or books you have "read" with your ears as you are so fond of doing while you drive to and from work?
johnnyvano said...
Ahh... I am continually harrassed about the fact that I read a good sum of books as I drive one-hour each way to work. I am making the most of my time by improving my mind, and I am maligned. I could see the criticism if I NEVER read a paper book and was lazy or illiterate, but that is not the case. There is an even distribution of paper books and audio books in my yearly repertoire. The debate is that some feel and audio book does not constiute a "read." But my argument is the word "read" is how we communicate that a book has been ingested and enjoyed--we do not yet have the terminology to describe how a book was ingested. But you know what? My mind has processed every word and every element of the story just as if I had read the book in a traditional method; should I be penalized because my eyes were not involved with that process?
6 Comments:
Do you read radio broadcasts? Audiobooks are the same as sitting at a lecture. Sure the material is written down somewhere, but does that mean you're reading it?
It is the equivalent of playing baseball while taking steroids. You are receiving assistance from an external source. You are nothing more than a literary Rafael Palmiero!!!
Let me clarify my side of the "great debate" It is not that I feel you should not consider these books on your "top whatever list" you have enjoyed, digested, thought over, it is rather the use of the word "read". To say you have "read" a book when you have merely listened to it, you are not using the same brain function that is required when actually reading a "flesh, blood, and pages" book. I LOVE the fact that you are utilizing your drive time in a constructive manner rather than fuming at Atlanta traffic, but maybe you should say, "the book I am enjoying now...", verses "the book I am reading now...". Just a thought from someone who wishes she had the time or energy to read or "read" a book!! Love ya honey!
Five in six ... Why are you trying to protect this guy? You would think you were married to this guy or something. "My Yarn" and others like him have been masquerading as book readers for years when they are nothing more than glorified audiofiles! Have they ever touched the parchment? Breathed the precious flow of ink? Have they ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight while READING a book? The answer to every one of the aforementioned questions is a resounding NO!!!
And another thing ... Ernest Hemingway and Dick Francis would turn over in their graves if they knew you were listening to some krank read their book to you rather than absorbing each page with your eyes!!!
Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the spoken word of another.
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