Forgetting how to read

[cadele]

Came across this and found it interesting https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opin...ign=pockethits

I hope this never happens to me

[GlenBarrington]

We don't "forget" how to read, we give that skill up on an unconscious level. It's like any other skill. Use it or lose it.

[rkomar]

I think this is more than just being out of practice. The heavy use of smart phones for tracking disjointed series of data bits seems to be rewiring the brain so that reading for extended periods becomes more difficult.

[HLS]

How can you forget how to read? I see losing interest in books and not reading for long periods but forgetting? I was a big reader as a kid then somehow during my high school, college and most of my adult years I simply stopped completely. I went for 25 years never picking up a single book then I bought my first ereader and been reading ever since

[Gardenman]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

How can you forget how to read? I see losing interest in books and not reading for long periods but forgetting? I was a big reader as a kid then somehow during my high school, college and most of my adult years I simply stopped completely. I went for 25 years never picking up a single book then I bought my first ereader and been reading ever since

Just like riding a bicycle. You never forget how

[ekbell]

The article talks about forgetting how to focus for long enough to read a chapter of a book.

I recently heard(read?) that our ability to focus for extended periods naturally decreases with age which if true would be part of the reason for the author of the article to have lost the ability to sit down and read a chapter. Of course the other reason would be lack of practice.

I know that I've become more likely to just read a chapter and then switch to something else then when I was younger. I'm still capable of reading a standard length book in less then a day on the few days I can afford the time spent.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by cadele

Came across this and found it interesting https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opin...ign=pockethits

I hope this never happens to me

Audiobooks

[theducks]

I blame the cat, who stomps all over my bod and head butts my K4

[crich70]

Originally Posted by theducks

I blame the cat, who stomps all over my bod and head butts my K4

Maybe kitty just wants you to share the K4?

[Ripplinger]

I agree that he used the wrong terminology, "forgetting" to read doesn't apply here, it's not being able to focus as already said.

Fortunately I don't have that problem, even as computer-dependent I am about most things. But when I get in a cozy chair, or in the nicer weather in a nice recliner outdoors, I can sit for hours and read. I usually have my cell phone with me just in case of an important call (more so I don't have to get up if anyone dares to interrupt me), but I'm never tempted to put the book down and pick up the phone.

Maybe the author just needs to find a more interesting book to read to be able to focus. And read someplace where he can get away from the other distractions that might be tempting him.

[HLS]

Originally Posted by ekbell

The article talks about forgetting how to focus for long enough to read a chapter of a book.

I recently heard(read?) that our ability to focus for extended periods naturally decreases with age which if true would be part of the reason for the author of the article to have lost the ability to sit down and read a chapter. Of course the other reason would be lack of practice.

I know that I've become more likely to just read a chapter and then switch to something else then when I was younger. I'm still capable of reading a standard length book in less then a day on the few days I can afford the time spent.

I can NEVER focus unless its a very short chapter. I always stop and start over and over lol That's why i like audible companions. i can stop reading switch to listening and do what ever i need to do. Must be my old age. LOL

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by theducks

I blame the cat, who stomps all over my bod and head butts my K4

Or starts chewing the corner of it...

[June]

I have experienced this, and it was awful: while I was on chemo, it was basically impossible to concentrate on a book. I managed to read some short stories, but it was a struggle. Focus was only for a few minutes max. So a whole year wasted while I “could have read” it was a very strange experience - I am normally always reading, the back of a milk carton of nothing else is handy.

[latepaul]

What the article is describing - difficulty focussing - as opposed to the headline - I was imagining someone with a head injury! - is something I experience.

It's age-related in that I have noticed it since my mid-forties and didn't used to be true. The two specific symptoms are that I forget details of what I've read more quickly. I can't put down a book for more than a few days. Second is that sense of "losing yourself" in the world of the book rarely happens any more.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Audiobooks

On their own they are worse for me. I can 'hear' the book but be thinking about something else and then either have to rewind or I miss stuff. But I get frustrated if I am rewinding a lot.

What I do find them good for is that I sometimes like to read and listen at the same time* and I find that helps me focus more. Although that means you tend to get the reader's interpretation of certain passages. For example, in dialogue, inflection on certain words etc.



*Amazon please take note. I have an Oasis 2 and I'd like to be able to read and listen, like I can with your apps, not just either/or!

[latepaul]

Originally Posted by June

I have experienced this, and it was awful: while I was on chemo, it was basically impossible to concentrate on a book. I managed to read some short stories, but it was a struggle. Focus was only for a few minutes max. So a whole year wasted while I “could have read” it was a very strange experience - I am normally always reading, the back of a milk carton of nothing else is handy.

I had a similar experience when my depression was bad (it's much better now). This is separate to the general decline in my focussing ability described above. I found I could read about 5-10mins max.

I hope you're better by the way.