Comments on: How to speed read http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Deidzoeb http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562695 Deidzoeb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562695 I haven't tried this technique yet, but I noticed long ago during typing class that I could look at a textbook page and type what it said a little more quickly when I recited a memorized monologue that had nothing to do with the typed content. It surprised me that I never got confused and typed the words that I was saying, only the words I was seeing. It probably works with singing or anything else memorized, or just repeating "AEIOU". It seems to disengage the part of your mind that's worried about making errors and the typing process, just input taken at the eyes and sent straight to fingers without spending much time understanding the content. If you type by touch, try it sometime. I haven’t tried this technique yet, but I noticed long ago during typing class that I could look at a textbook page and type what it said a little more quickly when I recited a memorized monologue that had nothing to do with the typed content. It surprised me that I never got confused and typed the words that I was saying, only the words I was seeing. It probably works with singing or anything else memorized, or just repeating “AEIOU”. It seems to disengage the part of your mind that’s worried about making errors and the typing process, just input taken at the eyes and sent straight to fingers without spending much time understanding the content. If you type by touch, try it sometime.

]]> By: tomboing http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-563209 tomboing Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-563209 I don't want to speed-read any more than I want to speed-eat. Much of the pleasure of good writing comes from the mouth-feel of the words, and you could almost say the way the diffrerent flavors ("oo" versus "ck," for examples) the different consonant and vowel sounds have when vocalized. And it seems to me there is also a better grasp of what is being said if I take in written ideas at a speed close to the speed of speech. I'm talking about good writing. Bad writing can be speed-read without much loss of pleasure, since there is (by my definition) little pleasure to be had from bad prose. Then the only thing worth having is the ideas. If the ideas are good but badly written, reading slowly might actually result in more miscomprehension than speed-reading, on the same principle of being able to find the cereal you want in the cereal aisle if you skim the shelves rather than focusing on each box in turn. I don’t want to speed-read any more than I want to speed-eat. Much of the pleasure of good writing comes from the mouth-feel of the words, and you could almost say the way the diffrerent flavors (“oo” versus “ck,” for examples) the different consonant and vowel sounds have when vocalized. And it seems to me there is also a better grasp of what is being said if I take in written ideas at a speed close to the speed of speech.

I’m talking about good writing. Bad writing can be speed-read without much loss of pleasure, since there is (by my definition) little pleasure to be had from bad prose. Then the only thing worth having is the ideas. If the ideas are good but badly written, reading slowly might actually result in more miscomprehension than speed-reading, on the same principle of being able to find the cereal you want in the cereal aisle if you skim the shelves rather than focusing on each box in turn.

]]> By: Thad E Ginataom http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562702 Thad E Ginataom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562702 Do I have to stop moving my lips when I think? (I wish it was a joke: I frequently find myself muttering things, out loud, that are going through my head. High embarrassment potential) Do I have to stop moving my lips when I think?

(I wish it was a joke: I frequently find myself muttering things, out loud, that are going through my head. High embarrassment potential)

]]> By: Nelson.C http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562706 Nelson.C Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562706 I'm not sure I <i>want</i> to read faster. Is there any benefit to shovelling the words in quicker if I can't think about them any faster? I’m not sure I want to read faster. Is there any benefit to shovelling the words in quicker if I can’t think about them any faster?

]]> By: hokano http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562966 hokano Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562966 I agree with most of the commenters above. If you're doing it for money, then by all means get it over with as quickly as possible. But if for the sheer pleasure of it, then take your time, savor and enjoy. Hmmm... I agree with most of the commenters above.

If you’re doing it for money, then by all means get it over with as quickly as possible.

But if for the sheer pleasure of it, then take your time, savor and enjoy.

Hmmm…

]]> By: alex4point0 http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-563478 alex4point0 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-563478 My girlfriend and I screamed at the end of this clip - Math Crazy in huge MS Comic Sans? It was just like being RickRolled! :P My girlfriend and I screamed at the end of this clip – Math Crazy in huge MS Comic Sans? It was just like being RickRolled! :P

]]> By: Piers W http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562968 Piers W Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562968 This is the bible of speed reading, Manya and Eric de Leeuw: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Better-Faster-Manya-Eric-LEEUW/dp/0140207406 The gist: scan very quickly for cogent text clumps; reread. Like WYKLYN, I absorbed this at 16 to get through exam texts faster, and had to train myself back to normal reading to read for pleasure. If you're reading Elmore Leonard say, and you're not hearing the words in your head, you're doing it wrong. If you're reading a translation of some critical theory text in translation and you are, then likewise. This is the bible of speed reading, Manya and Eric de Leeuw:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Better-Faster-Manya-Eric-LEEUW/dp/0140207406

The gist: scan very quickly for cogent text clumps; reread.

Like WYKLYN, I absorbed this at 16 to get through exam texts faster, and had to train myself back to normal reading to read for pleasure.

If you’re reading Elmore Leonard say, and you’re not hearing the words in your head, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re reading a translation of some critical theory text in translation and you are, then likewise.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562716 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562716 can somebody explain speed reading to me? what are the limitations? how does it work , if you're reading for comprehension of subjects you're unfamiliar with (e.g. math/science text books , manuals / design specs) thanks. can somebody explain speed reading to me? what are the limitations?

how does it work , if you’re reading for comprehension of subjects you’re unfamiliar with (e.g. math/science text books , manuals / design specs)

thanks.

]]> By: pete_darby http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562974 pete_darby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562974 I am an amateur actor, and trying to write my first screenplay. I can't help thinking this would be a really, REALLY bad habit to get into for anyone trying to avoid a tin ear for dialogue. Your scripts would end up looking like... Attack of the Clones, or the pilot of Babylon 5. I am an amateur actor, and trying to write my first screenplay.

I can’t help thinking this would be a really, REALLY bad habit to get into for anyone trying to avoid a tin ear for dialogue. Your scripts would end up looking like… Attack of the Clones, or the pilot of Babylon 5.

]]> By: marco antonio http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562975 marco antonio Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562975 I have sped read for as long as I can remember. I found that it allows me to go directly from words on paper to images in my head, bypassing the tedious filter of semantics, vocabulary, letters, typography. It allows me to play the movie in my head much more vividly, or to capture the "essence" in my imagination, it is great for adventure books! However it is also terrible for detailed, prose-specific readings. It's not so great with poetry or names, or writings which depend on semantics to get the point across. But then, I naturally slow down (and re-read) when I come across brain-heavy texts. Walking slow is fine to appreciate what's around you, but running can also be exhilarating :)! I have sped read for as long as I can remember. I found that it allows me to go directly from words on paper to images in my head, bypassing the tedious filter of semantics, vocabulary, letters, typography.

It allows me to play the movie in my head much more vividly, or to capture the “essence” in my imagination, it is great for adventure books!

However it is also terrible for detailed, prose-specific readings. It’s not so great with poetry or names, or writings which depend on semantics to get the point across.

But then, I naturally slow down (and re-read) when I come across brain-heavy texts.

Walking slow is fine to appreciate what’s around you, but running can also be exhilarating :)!

]]> By: Makk http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562721 Makk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562721 I've found speed reading wonderful for going over something technical and boring or needing to skim something really quick. However, it sucks all the joy out of reading for fun. I really enjoy taking my time and digesting the words and letting my imagination run wild. I'll speed read at work, but not at home. I’ve found speed reading wonderful for going over something technical and boring or needing to skim something really quick.

However, it sucks all the joy out of reading for fun. I really enjoy taking my time and digesting the words and letting my imagination run wild.

I’ll speed read at work, but not at home.

]]> By: wetzel http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562722 wetzel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562722 I guess this is okay for some kinds of reading, but not for anything really worth reading. The rhythm of the language is a large part of the aesthetic quality of good writing, for great literature especially. The great writers use vowel tones and consonants like musical notes in their prose. How do you speed read something like this from Joyce's Dubliners 'and the coachman smoothed and combed the horse or shook music from the buckled harness' or Hemingway, 'and the bull lifted him and then dropped him'. Scanning will show you a little of what those writers are up to. For Joyce, tonal ideograms resonate through extended developments over many pages to help engineer the epiphanies in his fiction. The idea of mumbling 1,2,3,4 to yourself as a habit of reading seems pretty ridiculous to me. I guess this is okay for some kinds of reading, but not for anything really worth reading. The rhythm of the language is a large part of the aesthetic quality of good writing, for great literature especially. The great writers use vowel tones and consonants like musical notes in their prose. How do you speed read something like this from Joyce’s Dubliners ‘and the coachman smoothed and combed the horse or shook music from the buckled harness’ or Hemingway, ‘and the bull lifted him and then dropped him’. Scanning will show you a little of what those writers are up to. For Joyce, tonal ideograms resonate through extended developments over many pages to help engineer the epiphanies in his fiction. The idea of mumbling 1,2,3,4 to yourself as a habit of reading seems pretty ridiculous to me.

]]> By: Chas44 http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562726 Chas44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562726 Two words, dude: "Lapel microphone." Two words, dude: “Lapel microphone.”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-564262 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-564262 Great video, but I think you may have miscalculated something: at 1200 words per minute, it will take you roughly 60 minutes, not the stated ten, to get through the 73,404 word "Catcher in the Rye." I'd definitely like to see the technique to get my reading up to 12000 wpm! Great video, but I think you may have miscalculated something: at 1200 words per minute, it will take you roughly 60 minutes, not the stated ten, to get through the 73,404 word “Catcher in the Rye.” I’d definitely like to see the technique to get my reading up to 12000 wpm!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562727 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562727 This makes perfect sense for people who still subvocalize the text in front of them. For those who moved past that to visual-only reading, this trick won't work of course...but such people read twice as fast anyhow. Speed reading methods are often designed to enhance the visual tricks you can use for faster input. A fun one is RSVP, rapid serial visual presentation, which flashes a word or a phrase in one spot...like flash cards, but on a computer. Some museum exhibits show this off, and there are web or smartphone apps that will allow you to do this. This makes perfect sense for people who still subvocalize the text in front of them. For those who moved past that to visual-only reading, this trick won’t work of course…but such people read twice as fast anyhow.

Speed reading methods are often designed to enhance the visual tricks you can use for faster input. A fun one is RSVP, rapid serial visual presentation, which flashes a word or a phrase in one spot…like flash cards, but on a computer. Some museum exhibits show this off, and there are web or smartphone apps that will allow you to do this.

]]> By: Nadreck http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562732 Nadreck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562732 All very fine and dandy but how to you slow down your reading speed so that you don't get frustrated because you can't turn the pages fast enough to keep up with your reading speed? That's the trouble with my crowd. Interesting that verbalising written material is mentioned as slowing readers down. You mean some people learned to talk <i>before</i> they learned to read? How odd... All very fine and dandy but how to you slow down your reading speed so that you don’t get frustrated because you can’t turn the pages fast enough to keep up with your reading speed? That’s the trouble with my crowd.

Interesting that verbalising written material is mentioned as slowing readers down. You mean some people learned to talk before they learned to read? How odd…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-564272 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-564272 Check out http://www.spreeder.com/ It has a really incredible method of "speed reading" things to you one or two words at a time. It's pretty amazing how fast you can read with it. Check out http://www.spreeder.com/ It has a really incredible method of “speed reading” things to you one or two words at a time. It’s pretty amazing how fast you can read with it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-565041 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-565041 Coincidentally saw this apropos Richard Feynman video about how different people use different parts of the brain for counting, reading, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj4y0EUlU-Y Steve Coincidentally saw this apropos Richard Feynman video about how different people use different parts of the brain for counting, reading, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj4y0EUlU-Y

Steve

]]> By: MrScience http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-567601 MrScience Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-567601 Thank you #44 & #48. I, too, was going to say that speed reading isn't something you <i>have</i> to use all the time. Most comment threads I skim and speed through, pausing on the nuggets of insight. Some content is meant for rushing, and some is not. Without the right tools, you'll have to slog through all content equally slow. Thank you #44 & #48. I, too, was going to say that speed reading isn’t something you have to use all the time. Most comment threads I skim and speed through, pausing on the nuggets of insight. Some content is meant for rushing, and some is not. Without the right tools, you’ll have to slog through all content equally slow.

]]> By: wylkyn http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562741 wylkyn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562741 I made the mistake of taking a speed reading class at summer school way back when I was 10 or so. I started burning through books in a day which actually was a drawback for me as I was always sad when the book was finished. So I had to start reading books upside down to slow myself down again. I was a weird kid. I made the mistake of taking a speed reading class at summer school way back when I was 10 or so. I started burning through books in a day which actually was a drawback for me as I was always sad when the book was finished. So I had to start reading books upside down to slow myself down again.

I was a weird kid.

]]> By: Secret_Life_of_Plants http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562748 Secret_Life_of_Plants Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562748 I guess it is fine if you are reading about cats and dogs chasing each other, but I wouldn't try it with Hegel. I guess it is fine if you are reading about cats and dogs chasing each other, but I wouldn’t try it with Hegel.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562749 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562749 Many people speed read simply by bringing preconceptions or prejudicial thoughts with them. It's very effective, but can lead to unexpected and rapid flexing of the patella/femur joint. Many people speed read simply by bringing preconceptions or prejudicial thoughts with them. It’s very effective, but can lead to unexpected and rapid flexing of the patella/femur joint.

]]> By: Slizzered http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-563773 Slizzered Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-563773 @ 45 Hmm. I was just sitting here wondering why it is that so many folks seem to read at approx. the speed of speech, while I've always read at the speed of a glance without having to mumble 1,2,3... But then you mentioned this trick you'd discovered of getting songs intentionally stuck in your head to help you read faster. Now what I'm wondering is: Could the non-stop MP3 that Nature wired in my noggin (wouldn't want to live without it) have something to do with it? @ 45 Hmm. I was just sitting here wondering why it is that so many folks seem to read at approx. the speed of speech, while I’ve always read at the speed of a glance without having to mumble 1,2,3… But then you mentioned this trick you’d discovered of getting songs intentionally stuck in your head to help you read faster. Now what I’m wondering is: Could the non-stop MP3 that Nature wired in my noggin (wouldn’t want to live without it) have something to do with it?

]]> By: krismadden http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-625728 krismadden Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-625728 Thanks for posting my video. After much request I've published a complete 366-page workbook on speed reading. It's available for free download at my website: krismadden.com and will be available for paperback and kindle purchase later this week. Hope everyone enjoys. -Kris Madden Thanks for posting my video. After much request I’ve published a complete 366-page workbook on speed reading. It’s available for free download at my website: krismadden.com and will be available for paperback and kindle purchase later this week. Hope everyone enjoys.

-Kris Madden

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562754 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562754 My aunt speed reads, she is a retired magazine editor and she has amazed me with this skill for more than 40 years. I have watched her devour three and four hundred page books that I have read in an hour or two and then quizzed her on content and comprehension, usually to my embarrassment. I can saw she still thoroughly enjoys reading and speed reading still serves her well at the state capitol digging through bills where she works as an intern to keep herself amused in her retirement. I am half convinced that she actually runs the state of Wyoming and that the state government is just a prop to keep her involvement hidden, but I am mostly sure that is just paranoia on my part. What I am sure of is that speed reading is a useful mind hack. My aunt speed reads, she is a retired magazine editor and she has amazed me with this skill for more than 40 years. I have watched her devour three and four hundred page books that I have read in an hour or two and then quizzed her on content and comprehension, usually to my embarrassment. I can saw she still thoroughly enjoys reading and speed reading still serves her well at the state capitol digging through bills where she works as an intern to keep herself amused in her retirement. I am half convinced that she actually runs the state of Wyoming and that the state government is just a prop to keep her involvement hidden, but I am mostly sure that is just paranoia on my part. What I am sure of is that speed reading is a useful mind hack.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562759 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562759 I always read like this (500-550 WPM) I thought that was how everyone else did it... I always read like this (500-550 WPM)
I thought that was how everyone else did it…

]]> By: weeklyrob http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562760 weeklyrob Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562760 It's for newspapers, reports, memos, and such. All that stuff isn't about the beauty of the writing, but about getting the information into your brain. It’s for newspapers, reports, memos, and such. All that stuff isn’t about the beauty of the writing, but about getting the information into your brain.

]]> By: workergnome http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562761 workergnome Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562761 Ha! I thought I was the only person who did the "read upside-down" trick. I started doing it when I realized I could read out loud when I read upside-down books...right-side up I kept missing words. Ha! I thought I was the only person who did the “read upside-down” trick. I started doing it when I realized I could read out loud when I read upside-down books…right-side up I kept missing words.

]]> By: Antiqueight http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562762 Antiqueight Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562762 Why would you vocalize the written words with your larynx anyway? Why would you vocalize the written words with your larynx anyway?

]]> By: buddy66 http://boingboing.net/2009/08/10/how-to-speed-read.html#comment-562765 buddy66 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-562765 WETZEL, You'll love this sentence from F. Scotty Fitz... <i> "At the moment when he had affirmed immaculate honor a silver pennon had flapped out into the breeze somewhere and there had been the crunch of leather and the shine of silver spurs and a troop of horsemen waiting for dawn on a low green hill.” </i> WETZEL,

You’ll love this sentence from F. Scotty Fitz…

“At the moment when he had affirmed immaculate honor a silver pennon had flapped out into the breeze somewhere and there had been the crunch of leather and the shine of silver spurs and a troop of horsemen waiting for dawn on a low green hill.”

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