Subject:
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Re: The value of reading (was: If you could leave any book on Kjeld's nightstand...)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Tue, 26 Mar 2002 01:35:52 GMT
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Viewed:
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1394 times
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In lugnet.general, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> In lugnet.general, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> > In lugnet.general, Ben Ellermann writes:
>
> > > reading is extremely important for developing young minds
> >
> > How so?
> First, I'd like to comment that the meaning of the above sentence changes
> significantly with the insertion of a comma between 'developing' and 'young.'
> I'm not sure if it matters, but it might.
I still don't see that it diminishes the importance of reading. :)
> Ben Ellermann wrote:
>
> > First, reading introduces new ideas and subjects.
>
> So is it the reading per se that you are placing importance on, or the
> introduction of new ideas? Surely you don't think that reading is the only way
> for ideas to be introduced..?
>
> > This leads to a strong desire to learn throughout life.
>
> This sounds like one of those common sense assertions, but can you back it up?
> I studied education at university for seven years and I don't recall ever
> reading demonstration of such a correlation. (Though my personal annecdotes do
> suggest that as well.)
So you're saying you agree, because you've seen this as a person..... but
you disagree because there is no academic proof? :)
If you studied education at a university that didn't tell you that reading
is fundamental to learning...... then you should ask for your money back.
> > A person also has time to step back from the book and
> > contemplate about what is being written.
>
> Like a television series, right?
This is a personal opinion, backed up by no facts whatsoever.......
You can never 'see' as much on TV as you can in a book. The very act of
reading involves making gigantic connections between abstract symbols and
abstract concepts. It is inherently more difficult and engaging than visual
media. The exception, which is difficult to compare, would be music, which
is inherently visceral. Although while it's tough to learn to build a house
by listening to music, with a book it can be done.
> Allan Bedford wrote:
> > Chris.... you're joking. Right?
>
> No. I'm very interested in the beliefs about education held by the laity.
Speaking as one of the laity......
The importance of reading may be lost on the well-educated as they know no
different. But when you see the difference that reading makes in the lives
of average people, you stop wondering why reading is important and simply
accept that it is.
> > reading is not only important for developing minds, but for
> > all minds regardless of age.
>
> But the question remains -- how so? Is it the act of reading or is it the
> association with new ideas? If we were geared up to explore new ideas through
> other media, would that be just as good?
Perhaps we are confusing ourselves with the difference between reading (as
in actively engaging in it) and the ability to read at all.
Reading is so fundamentally critical to our everyday existence that you can
hardly function without it. How would someone read this debate if they had
never learned to read? How would they fill out a job application? Or a
form in a doctor's office?
But perhaps you're wondering if reading is essential to exploring and
understanding new ideas. You may have a point. I think it could easily be
argued that new ideas can be acquired through a variety of experiences,
including actually doing whatever it is that you're trying to learn.
> > I personally find that people who don't enjoy reading (and
> > therefore don't do it on their own, without prompting) are
> > generally less able to comprehend complex ideas, possess a
> > less developed vocabulary, are more likely to use the words
> > they do know incorrectly. Reading isn't just important for
> > a healthy mind, it's essential.
>
> For what?
Perhaps you're not a reader. I think anyone who's ever made that intimate
connection with a special novel can answer this question in their own head.
It may not be possible to express it in words, but it's possible to feel it
none-the-less.
> Since many people do seem to get along quite nicely without advanced
> reading skills, I'd say that the reality is that reading is obviously not
> essential.
You can 'get along' but you can rarely advance. You stretch your mind by
creating the pictures that accompany the words; by filling out the details
of what isn't written about, not just taking in what's actually on the page.
> I'm not being obtuse here either. I prefer to spend time with
> people who do read. I see the same things you see about non readers. But that
> just means that _I_ _prefer_ certain people, not that they're better than the
> others.
You'll have to help me. You have said at least twice now that you agree
with some of the things being said, but you again insist that reading isn't
all that important. I'm confused. Is this some sort of esoteric research
project or something? :)
> Not to anyone in particular:
>
> I value reading. A lot. Really! But that's me. Not everyone does and that's
> OK.
It is O.K. But some people also don't value brushing their teeth everyday.
Should we accept that habit? Or should we try to encourage them to do
something that is probably good for them. Reading is like flossing your mind.
> Some people learn really powerfully by reading and others have a hard
> time without discussion. People are different. Reading has been placed on an
> educational alter largely because it was the primary way that we passed
> information around for a long long time.
But if it ain't broke, why fix it? Reading still works. Reading is still
highly effective. What is one of the most successful companies to come out
of the dot com revolution? Amazon.com. Oddly enough, they sell books.
This isn't professors or learned people telling you that reading is still
righteous, it's Joe Common. And Joe still likes to read.
> But it doesn't deserve, in my
> opinion, that place of honor over other methods and media. Not only are there
> other technologies now that didn't exist a lifetime ago, but by placing reading
> in a position of primacy, we tilt the educational balance in favor of those of
> us (including me) who do read well and away from those who do not.
How do you learn to use these advanced technologies if you can't read the
user's manual? ;)
Regards,
Allan B.
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