Reading is a workout for the mind..

Davidius · 17-08-2011 02:48PM

bnt wrote: »

The more you read, the more you learn about word usage, too. There are many words that sound the same but are written differently, and you can't learn to use them properly in writing from hearing them spoken. So, I hope you don't take this the wrong way - but your use of "your" in place of "you're" is, in my opinion, a clear sign that you need to read more.

You can make that slip without being ignorant of how the word is supposed to be written. I'm skeptical that reading will somehow cause you to not make very simple mistakes like that, I occasionally evaluate 6*7 as 48 in quick calculations in spite of knowing it's 42.

ScumLord · 17-08-2011 02:56PM

bnt wrote: »

The more you read, the more you learn about word usage, too. There are many words that sound the same but are written differently, and you can't learn to use them properly in writing from hearing them spoken. So, I hope you don't take this the wrong way - but your use of "your" in place of "you're" is, in my opinion, a clear sign that you need to read more.

Well done to you sir, I shall employ you as my official spell checker to the scum empire from now on, Google has failed me for the last time. Obedience whippings start at 7am sharp but I think you'll find your work cage quite sufficient with it's inbuilt water dispenser.

Frank Black · 17-08-2011 03:00PM

Davidius wrote: »

I'm uncertain of whether you've just spotted the joke or you're seeing something I'm not.

I think my sarcasm meter is acting up lately.

Sleepy · 17-08-2011 03:00PM

The quality of what's being read is the important factor here. Non-fiction that introduces you to new concepts (e.g. reading A Brief History of Time, A theory of relativity or even something as relatively light as Freakonomics) will clearly sharpen one's mind somewhat.

The latest Jodi Picoult or Jordan "autobiography", I fear, are more likely to have the opposite effect (or at least make you seem more stupid).

chin_grin · 17-08-2011 03:04PM

<snooty>Yeah depends on what you're reading. If it's some celebrity hardback then no. Likewise for a few of the "undesirable" newspapers. (You know which I mean!). </snooty>

I'll leave you with this.

"If you've only ever read one book I'd kindly ask you to keep your mouth shut."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO8F1HJjzkA

Agricola · 17-08-2011 03:04PM

Definitely. If you are read to a lot as a child and then continue to keep it up yourself, you'll have a better grasp of grammar and syntax and probably a larger vocabulary too.

ScumLord · 17-08-2011 03:10PM

Agricola wrote: »

Definitely. If you are read to a lot as a child and then continue to keep it up yourself, you'll have a better grasp of grammar and syntax and probably a larger vocabulary too.

Words like Hogwarts, vampire lovers and other such nonsense from popular books.

Unless the book is giving new information or teaching you something I don't see how reading fiction is going to do anything for you.

Koltashe · 17-08-2011 03:11PM

I personally see a major difference in my friends who do read a lot and those who don’t. Those who read a lot are more open minded, have interest in theatre, classical music, art etc. They tend to fill up their free time with meaningful activities; they are constantly learning something new and have valuable points and opinions in conversations.

While those who don’t read spend all their free time watching TV series, then discussing those same TV series, and are constantly on Facebook. Their interests are exceptionally limited and they never have anything interesting or valuable to add to a conversation.

Same goes for guys I’ve dated/been married to, you can always tell if a person reads or not. People who read a lot have knowledge on a wider variety of topics, and I mean actual knowledge and understanding not a load of useless facts they picked up on the net.

ScumLord · 17-08-2011 03:20PM

Koltashe wrote: »

People who read a lot have knowledge on a wider variety of topics, and I mean actual knowledge and understanding not a load of useless facts they picked up on the net.

So when you read something on the net it's useless facts but if you read it in a book it becomes knowledge and understanding?

How is it books have this magical ability to impart more valuable knowledge than monitor screens?

bnt · 17-08-2011 03:28PM

ScumLord wrote: »

So when you read something on the net it's useless facts but if you read it in a book it becomes knowledge and understanding?

How is it books have this magical ability to impart more valuable knowledge than monitor screens?

Well, I don't know who said that, but I know I didn't. By "books" I assumed the OP meant e-books too, or even well-written articles in newspapers or on reputable websites e.g. Salon.com or the Huffington Post. Anything that has been looked over by an editor, basically: they're the ones that catch silly mistakes before they go in to print, no matter what the "print" is on. Heck, even the Irish Times will do in a pinch, though they do sometimes let a few clangers slip through. :cool:

Koltashe · 18-08-2011 10:45AM

ScumLord wrote: »

So when you read something on the net it's useless facts but if you read it in a book it becomes knowledge and understanding?

How is it books have this magical ability to impart more valuable knowledge than monitor screens?

Here's an example of what I meant:

A discussion came up about Daniel O'connell, we argued whether he was born in Derrynane or cahersiveen, his political veiws, whether or not he should have joined the British parliament, what year the emancipation was granted etc... then a 'non book reading' friend of mine who was silent for the whole conversation pipes up saying that you couldn't throw a stone over a wall in dublin at the time without hitting one of O'connells b@stards, ie that he slep around so much and fathered a rediculous amount of children. Its a useless fact she read on some website and when we tried to protest it by refering to the loving letters O'Connell wrote to his wife and his devotion to her she simply had no idea what we were talking about and had nothing else to add to the conversation.

there is an abundance of knowledge and information on the net but many choose to only gather simple unverified facts.

Koltashe · 18-08-2011 10:50AM

bnt wrote: »

Well, I don't know who said that, but I know I didn't. By "books" I assumed the OP meant e-books too, or even well-written articles in newspapers or on reputable websites e.g. Salon.com or the Huffington Post. Anything that has been looked over by an editor, basically: they're the ones that catch silly mistakes before they go in to print, no matter what the "print" is on. Heck, even the Irish Times will do in a pinch, though they do sometimes let a few clangers slip through. :cool:

It was me who said that, but I was referring to unedited articles, websites, blogs and journals that any one of us can write and post on the internet. Or those '1000' interesting facts websites and lists many of which have never been varified or confirmed.

stevenmu · 18-08-2011 11:03AM

Koltashe wrote: »

Same goes for guys I’ve dated/been married to, you can always tell if a person reads or not. People who read a lot have knowledge on a wider variety of topics, and I mean actual knowledge and understanding not a load of useless facts they picked up on the net.

You can pick up a hell of a lot of knowledge on the net, but like with books it depends on where you go. If you rely purely on AH and facebook for your net-reading, you'd learn more by hitting yourself over the head with a saucepan.

Even just on boards.ie there's an incredible wealth of knowledge about any topic you can think of, many of the forums here have world class experts in their fields contributing their expertise, all of it easily available to search for or browse through. And of course there's countless other sites out there of varying degrees of usefulness. The trick is just finding the right ones (and it's usually not that hard).

ScumLord · 18-08-2011 02:24PM

Koltashe wrote: »

there is an abundance of knowledge and information on the net but many choose to only gather simple unverified facts.

True but it's all information, even information from reputable sources with the best of intentions can be wrong, it's up to the individual to root out bad information. It's why I think we should be teaching children how to critic information and be able to research and compare information. In this day and age everything they need to know is at their fingertips they just need the skills to separate nonsense from sense.

Even though I've read on historical figures I couldn't give you to many details on anyone I've read about because that information doesn't stay in my head, my memory seem to synopsis my information and then throw away the details as I don't need to hold onto that information I can always find it again if needed.

mikom · 18-08-2011 02:25PM

I've never debated with a book.

Saila · 19-08-2011 09:49AM

black francis wrote: »

I never understood people who aren't into reading [insert anything else here, sport, walking, enjoying the outdoors ect]- one of my friends would never read a book do this - getting him to read 'Watchmen' try it was an achievement.

Feel sorry for people like this - I think they miss out on a lot.

see works the same for everything

I started out reading as a child, and enjoyed it, the fun stories I mean, rohl dahl sort of stuff, then in my teens dropped it favour of other interests. It wasnt really a conscious decision, it just evolved like that. Anyway, no I dont agree and think its a snobish to think if you dont read regularly then chances are you will be less articulate, but I would if you had have said read regularly for a sustained period early on as a child, there is no doubting that.

py2006 · 22-08-2011 02:32PM

I just had a good route around my stuff!! I have a crap load of books yet to be read!!

What does that say about my mind?

Reading is a workout for the mind..

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