I love audiobooks and consume them frequently but I personally don’t call it reading. It doesn’t feel like the same activity to me. What do you think?

  • Dookieman12@piefed.social
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    12 hours ago

    ITT: Gatekeeping readers.

    Everyone claiming reading is superior because of some vague sense of it communicating the information “better” or because of your own subjective experiences sound just like all those people who thought the printing press would be a disaster because people would waste all their time reading instead of listening to people. Same energy, different time period.

    If both people come away with the same understanding, what difference does it make? You can’t tell whether they read or listened unless you ask them. There’s nothing you can ask about the book that will give any indication one way or the other.

    • wjrii@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      If both people come away with the same understanding, what difference does it make?

      You’re not wrong, but this statement is doing a LOT of heavy lifting. By the time I am paying close enough attention to something on audio for there to be no difference, reading would have been more efficient.

      • Encrypt-Keeper@lemmy.world
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        9 hours ago

        That’s more of an issue personal to you. I can focus a lot better while listening than I can while reading. For similarly personal reasons.

      • lennybird@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        That hasn’t been my experience. I listen to The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich while jogging and bookmark moments with notes. Seems equally efficient (and arguably more so, if considering combining a menial task that creates boredom with something that centers your focus)

        The only step above this I can think of is if you’re actually sitting down and reading it like a textbook, taking notes and making flashcards.

        • Dr. Bob@lemmy.ca
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          10 hours ago

          How do you bookmark and make notes while jogging? Do you stop? Genuinely curious as a headphone free runner.

          • lennybird@lemmy.world
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            8 hours ago

            I should’ve clarified I’m on a treadmill with audible open in front of me

            I think my oldass san disk mp3 player has a bookmark function as well if I’m out on a run somewhere, but I tend to listen to music on those faster runs. The slower zone 2/3 runs tend to be longer and invoke more boredom, so audiobooks or podcasts suit the pace. Harder runs begin to increasingly divert your focus.

    • Hirohito@fedinsfw.appOP
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      11 hours ago

      I love books and audiobooks both. I also consider them entirely different activities. Each has its own advantages depending on your circumstances, needs, and preferences. Why is it gatekeeping to say that the two activities are distinct ways to consume material?