Chekhov's Mistress
On Audio Books: Can You Spot The Inconsistency?
The New York Times reports in the Fashion & Style section on the popularity of audio books (*Loud, Proud, Unabridged: It Is Too Reading!):
For a growing group of devoted listeners, the popularity of audio books is redefining the notion of reading, which for centuries has been centered on the written word. Traditionally, it is also an activity that has required one’s full attention.
But audio books, once seen as a kind of oral CliffsNotes for reading lightweights, have seduced members of a literate but busy crowd by allowing them to read while doing something else.
I hope the inconsistency here is not too subtle to notice. The article indicates that there is a stigma attached to listening to books instead of actually giving them your full attention. I can’t imagine why.
Of course, I do other things while reading too. I can manage to read while biting my fingernails, eating cookies or chips, drinking a cool or warm beverage and writing in the margins (can’t do that on an iPod though).
I’m sure they have their place, but whenever I’ve listened to an audio book, I’ve found myself constantly rewinding to make sure I got it right; that to me is a lot more work than re-reading a passage – so you see, I’m just lazy.
*Link via Maud.
UPDATE: Scott has a good survey on Litblogger’s opinion’s on reading/listening.
UDPATE2: I am going to put in some time to listen to the new recording of Ulysses this summer, but technically speaking I’ve read the book and more than once, so listening should be just adding another dimension to the book.
comments
Et tu, Brute. I would be rewinding every three minutes. And it does take more time than skimming ( or turning) pages. Those aspects of book “tech” will never date.
To recap the comment I’ve left at Scott’s space, I’ve been cataloguing radio content and was beginning to wonder if I listen to anything properly at all a week or two ago! ( and that’s with CDs on computers). They are both different skills, whether the technology serves the function of sharing text effectively is an interesting question. Audio won’t save time for me until my eyes give out, because I probably need the visual focus and the calming effect of sitting STILL - and DOWN.
– genevieve (05/28 at 07:48 PM)
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About this Post
- Posted by: Bud Parr
- Date: May 27, 2005
- Filed Under:
Wise Men Fish Here: Literature
- Comments:1
- Links to this Post: Technorati
