I prefer reading because I can focus on each word and reread sentences and I can look up each word easier. But I think others would prefer podcasts because you can listen to it in the background (something that I can't do).
Thank you for this thought provoking article. I enjoyed reading it.
I greatly prefer the written form. I can read it at my leisure, breaking off here and there to savour a passage or to look up a word and perhaps to indulge in a diversion as the etymology leads me to other thoughts. The written form also allows references to sources and places for further reading. I find that podcasts not only allow none of these, they allow no time for reflection. In consequence, I take in much less and retain much less. Podcasts usually leave me with little more than an impression of what a subject might be about if I were to read about it.
At one time the programme In Our Time on Radio 4 offered an email service which supplied the text of the programme. These programmes last for about 45 minutes. I worked through these email every week for several months. I found that most contained two ideas, a single example contained three and one contained only one idea. The rest of the programme was taken up with entertaining padding. I concluded that broadcasts and podcasts are a poor medium for conveying ideas, particularly ideas which require thought and challenge.
For these reasons, I think the written form will remain the best form for discussion of ideas.
Who thinks long articles like this would be better as podcasts?
I prefer reading because I can focus on each word and reread sentences and I can look up each word easier. But I think others would prefer podcasts because you can listen to it in the background (something that I can't do).
Thank you sir for this legendary article.
Thank you for this thought provoking article. I enjoyed reading it.
I greatly prefer the written form. I can read it at my leisure, breaking off here and there to savour a passage or to look up a word and perhaps to indulge in a diversion as the etymology leads me to other thoughts. The written form also allows references to sources and places for further reading. I find that podcasts not only allow none of these, they allow no time for reflection. In consequence, I take in much less and retain much less. Podcasts usually leave me with little more than an impression of what a subject might be about if I were to read about it.
At one time the programme In Our Time on Radio 4 offered an email service which supplied the text of the programme. These programmes last for about 45 minutes. I worked through these email every week for several months. I found that most contained two ideas, a single example contained three and one contained only one idea. The rest of the programme was taken up with entertaining padding. I concluded that broadcasts and podcasts are a poor medium for conveying ideas, particularly ideas which require thought and challenge.
For these reasons, I think the written form will remain the best form for discussion of ideas.