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leebase · 10-25-2019, 10:51 AM

People spread Fear Uncertainty and Doubt. When you do, someone is going to call you on it. "I like eInk, I find reading on devices uncomfortable". No debate. Personal preference is what it is.

"eInk is better for your eyes as reading on devices, science says, is bad for your eyes". This is bunk. Not that there aren't studies that make such claims....and are repeated uncritically in many publications. But they have ALL been TERRIBLE "science" so far.

I just put one such study through the ringer. If you have a really GOOD study, then please link to it and lets take a look at their methodology.

I do believe that some people can have problems that most people do not. I am just such a person when it comes to these first person, immersive video games. They make me literally sick. I get motion sickness playing them the same as if I were stuffed into the back seat of a car on a sunny day and tried to read a book. I will throw up if I don't stop.

Most people do not have the same reaction to these games as I do. But just because most don't -- what I experience is very real.

I do know that SOME people have formed their opinion of reading "on devices" from reading on their computer monitor screen. They haven't adjusted the brightness. They are not reading at a comfortable "book distance". Some have tried all the tricks and it's still not a good experience for them.

Some have tried to make the case that there is something special about "reflected light" verses "direct light". That is laughable. If you are SEEING....then light is hitting your retina.

The reason why reflected light feels more comfortable (not always true in extreme brightness or dimness)....is that reflected light is always in balance with the ambient light of the room. It is the extra contrast of a too bright device that makes reading uncomfortable for most every body who tries to read a too bright device.

But, one can turn down the tablet light to make it balance with the ambient light. For most people, this will indeed result in a comfortable reading experience. YMMV.

In fact, there are more options with a phone or tablet. When I'm reading an actual book, I have to have a lamp for a good deal of my reading time. You can get tired reading more quickly if your lamp is too bright. But with my devices, I can read in MUCH lower room light without discomfort because I can pick a dark background with only slightly lighter text. Very low contrast, very comfortable in dim lighting. Very marriage friendly when reading in bed with a sleeping spouse.

That's personal preference. True. The debate isn't "is your way more comfortable than my way". It's "your way is damaging your eyes, science says". That's just bunk.

10-25-2019, 10:51 AM	#33
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,976 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	People spread Fear Uncertainty and Doubt. When you do, someone is going to call you on it. "I like eInk, I find reading on devices uncomfortable". No debate. Personal preference is what it is. "eInk is better for your eyes as reading on devices, science says, is bad for your eyes". This is bunk. Not that there aren't studies that make such claims....and are repeated uncritically in many publications. But they have ALL been TERRIBLE "science" so far. I just put one such study through the ringer. If you have a really GOOD study, then please link to it and lets take a look at their methodology. I do believe that some people can have problems that most people do not. I am just such a person when it comes to these first person, immersive video games. They make me literally sick. I get motion sickness playing them the same as if I were stuffed into the back seat of a car on a sunny day and tried to read a book. I will throw up if I don't stop. Most people do not have the same reaction to these games as I do. But just because most don't -- what I experience is very real. I do know that SOME people have formed their opinion of reading "on devices" from reading on their computer monitor screen. They haven't adjusted the brightness. They are not reading at a comfortable "book distance". Some have tried all the tricks and it's still not a good experience for them. Some have tried to make the case that there is something special about "reflected light" verses "direct light". That is laughable. If you are SEEING....then light is hitting your retina. The reason why reflected light feels more comfortable (not always true in extreme brightness or dimness)....is that reflected light is always in balance with the ambient light of the room. It is the extra contrast of a too bright device that makes reading uncomfortable for most every body who tries to read a too bright device. But, one can turn down the tablet light to make it balance with the ambient light. For most people, this will indeed result in a comfortable reading experience. YMMV. In fact, there are more options with a phone or tablet. When I'm reading an actual book, I have to have a lamp for a good deal of my reading time. You can get tired reading more quickly if your lamp is too bright. But with my devices, I can read in MUCH lower room light without discomfort because I can pick a dark background with only slightly lighter text. Very low contrast, very comfortable in dim lighting. Very marriage friendly when reading in bed with a sleeping spouse. That's personal preference. True. The debate isn't "is your way more comfortable than my way". It's "your way is damaging your eyes, science says". That's just bunk.