Do you like reading or web-surfing better?

JeremyZ · 08-15-2010, 01:19 AM

Of course I know that surfing is reading too. But not at the same level. Most of the time, the attention is divided, and I don't read as thoroughly when surfing. I skim and scan a lot more. Look for certain info instead of trying to absorb everything.

Surfing is more useful, but less rewarding. (for me) Surfing is more educational too, for me.

I can surf for probably 4 hours straight, but only ready for maybe an hour or two, after which I need a nap.

patrickt · 08-15-2010, 04:06 AM

I have bought a fairly expensive device solely for reading books. I have not bought an expensive item solely for surfing the web. I might spend more time in a day on my computer than I do reading but that does not indicate I like it more.

I also enjoy old movies, a lot. Yesterday I watched Vinctent Price in "The Last Man on Earth" and Gregory Peck in "Only the Brave". I never read novels while I watch a movie but I can surf the web and visit some forums while I surf the web.

HarryT · 08-15-2010, 04:26 AM

I read, surf the web, AND watch old movies on the same device - my iPad. It really doesn't need to be one or the other. All these activities have their place in my life.

patrickt · 08-15-2010, 12:54 PM

What's the saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none."

Joseph Mitchell · 08-15-2010, 01:05 PM

I like to listen to audiobooks while playing Dwarf Fortress on my computer. Thinking about Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' also brings back memories of industrious dwarves digging deep tunnels and encrusting furniture items with gems.

alecE · 08-15-2010, 03:04 PM

Most of my surfing is result(s) orientated and not necessarily done for pleasure (browsing MR always excepted!) whilst reading is most often a recreational activity. It might be interesting to see an age break-down of the results as well (fwiw, I'm 60).

Lady Fitzgerald · 08-15-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecE

Most of my surfing is result(s) orientated and not necessarily done for pleasure (browsing MR always excepted!) whilst reading is most often a recreational activity. It might be interesting to see an age break-down of the results as well (fwiw, I'm 60).

Ok, I'm 61. I voted a tie. My both my reading and my surfing are a mix of a quest for knowledge but also for pleasure. To me the internet and books are just media that contain what I need to achieve my two goals.

djpyle · 08-15-2010, 05:45 PM

I do surf the web a lot, and sometimes get caught up reading blogs, articles, forums, etc., but I don't really consider it entertaining. For me, sitting down to read fiction is a much better treat.

One of my happiest memories is of sitting on folding chairs in a Colorado river with my wife and reading until the sun went down. I don't have any happy web-surfing memories.

Tattncat · 08-15-2010, 05:56 PM

Reading is my favorite actvity and most of my surfing is to locate more books.

HarryT · 08-16-2010, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

What's the saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none."

You're right, of course, but the iPad is "master" of more things than your Kindle DX is. It's good at all the tasks I mention, whereas web browsing on the DX is a little painful, don't you think?

FlorenceArt · 08-16-2010, 05:53 AM

For pure pleasure, reading. It would be hard to go back to a web-less life though, and the incredible amount of information (and fun stuff, and assorted crap) at my disposal there. But if I have to make a choice, reading comes first, no question.

GeoffC · 08-16-2010, 06:34 AM

Sweetpea · 08-16-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

For pure pleasure, reading. It would be hard to go back to a web-less life though, and the incredible amount of information (and fun stuff, and assorted crap) at my disposal there. But if I have to make a choice, reading comes first, no question.

Same here. I could learn to live (again) without the internet (though, I'd have to find a new job!), but not without books.

Stitchawl · 08-16-2010, 07:19 AM

I don't surf the Web. I'm far more aggressive. I hunt it.

While I do spend more time on the Web, much of it is directed searches rather than just wandering around. I suppose I spend 4-5 hours a day with it, but only 2-3 hours a day reading.

Stitchawl

Sweetpea · 08-16-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I don't surf the Web. I'm far more aggressive. I hunt it.

While I do spend more time on the Web, much of it is directed searches rather than just wandering around. I suppose I spend 4-5 hours a day with it, but only 2-3 hours a day reading.

Stitchawl

If you put it that way, I spend over 8 hours a day with it, but only 1-2 hours a day reading

(but I'd rather turn those two numbers around!)

View Poll Results: Do you like reading or web-surfing better
Reading, by a lot	45	47.87%
Reading, by a little	15	15.96%
Tie	25	26.60%
Surfing, by a lot	3	3.19%
Surfing, by a little	6	6.38%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

08-15-2010, 01:19 AM	#1
JeremyZ Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 1000702 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago Device: Nook ST, Kindle 2, Samsung Galaxy Stellar phone	Do you like reading or web-surfing better? Of course I know that surfing is reading too. But not at the same level. Most of the time, the attention is divided, and I don't read as thoroughly when surfing. I skim and scan a lot more. Look for certain info instead of trying to absorb everything. Surfing is more useful, but less rewarding. (for me) Surfing is more educational too, for me. I can surf for probably 4 hours straight, but only ready for maybe an hour or two, after which I need a nap. Last edited by JeremyZ; 08-15-2010 at 01:23 AM.

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08-15-2010, 04:06 AM	#2
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	I have bought a fairly expensive device solely for reading books. I have not bought an expensive item solely for surfing the web. I might spend more time in a day on my computer than I do reading but that does not indicate I like it more. I also enjoy old movies, a lot. Yesterday I watched Vinctent Price in "The Last Man on Earth" and Gregory Peck in "Only the Brave". I never read novels while I watch a movie but I can surf the web and visit some forums while I surf the web.

08-15-2010, 04:26 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I read, surf the web, AND watch old movies on the same device - my iPad. It really doesn't need to be one or the other. All these activities have their place in my life.

08-15-2010, 12:54 PM	#4
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	What's the saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none."

08-15-2010, 01:05 PM	#5
Joseph Mitchell Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, US Device: PC, other	I like to listen to audiobooks while playing Dwarf Fortress on my computer. Thinking about Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' also brings back memories of industrious dwarves digging deep tunnels and encrusting furniture items with gems.

08-15-2010, 03:04 PM	#6
alecE Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 546196 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK canal boat Device: sony prs505, prs650, kobo Glo HD liseuses	Most of my surfing is result(s) orientated and not necessarily done for pleasure (browsing MR always excepted!) whilst reading is most often a recreational activity. It might be interesting to see an age break-down of the results as well (fwiw, I'm 60).

08-15-2010, 05:45 PM	#8
djpyle Writer Posts: 70 Karma: 124160 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Springfield, MO Device: Oasis, Paperwhite 1, iPhone 6+	I do surf the web a lot, and sometimes get caught up reading blogs, articles, forums, etc., but I don't really consider it entertaining. For me, sitting down to read fiction is a much better treat. One of my happiest memories is of sitting on folding chairs in a Colorado river with my wife and reading until the sun went down. I don't have any happy web-surfing memories.

08-15-2010, 05:56 PM	#9
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	Reading is my favorite actvity and most of my surfing is to locate more books.

08-16-2010, 05:53 AM	#11
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	For pure pleasure, reading. It would be hard to go back to a web-less life though, and the incredible amount of information (and fun stuff, and assorted crap) at my disposal there. But if I have to make a choice, reading comes first, no question.

08-16-2010, 06:34 AM	#12
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW

08-16-2010, 07:19 AM	#14
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	I don't surf the Web. I'm far more aggressive. I hunt it. While I do spend more time on the Web, much of it is directed searches rather than just wandering around. I suppose I spend 4-5 hours a day with it, but only 2-3 hours a day reading. Stitchawl

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