Fascinating perspective. I’ve been adverse to audiobooks due to views on technology, I wouldn’t use them since they’re commercialized mass entertainment media, but this is another way to present it. I suppose the formula is rather simple: narrative is best supplied by listening (although certainly distinctions and clarifications can be made since Tolkien’s superb narration, all narrative writing by extension ofc, does seem well-fitted with being written), and higher cognition is best supplied by writing. I’m wondering how this can affect the realm of homiletics and liturgy, where multimedia/audiovisual technology has been quickly imported to “modernize” religion, i.e. put it under the auspices of the technological society.
I would not say that narrative is best listened to, but rather that listening to narrative writing is more acceptable than something like philosophy. But I think written media is best read, as you point out with Tolkien. Thanks for your perspective!
I tried once to listen to an audiobook probably 15 years ago, and never attempted again. I am a good auditory learner, but it’s no way to receive what was meant to be read as the written word. I refuse and will continue to refuse to have audio for my articles, because I have written them to be read — otherwise I’d start a podcast.
If it comes down to audio or not hearing it at all/ or reading it at all I'd choose audio all day. Public transportation made enjoyable with a good audio book. I'd say most fiction and tons of history are great in audio format. Ofc it all comes down to how you the listener/ reader enjoy/ absorb the narrative / knowledge. Acoustic space is going to almost completely takeover soon. Reading is best for retention and dense texts. Everything else comes down to time, quality of narrator, and access.
I agree that if a text was explicitly written to be read it's ideal: If someone wrote up a math textbook I could not easily learn from it through audiobook.
I will comment that there is an enormous gradation between a purely visual symbolic language text like math or computer programing and a fully experiential one like music. In addition another confounding factor is the way in which people process the written word as demonstrated in the 'lack of inner mind' topic. It would not be surprising if audiobook enjoying or not lined up roughly with Aphantasia rating.
Very interesting point. Ong also discusses the peculiar dynamics of the development of rhetoric (spoken word) as something studied exclusively textually by the ancient Greeks, which is similar to your point about music
Very well put. I agree entirely and I choose to continue reading books. I actually enjoy the tactile sensation of holding a book and turning the pages. I subscribe to Walter Kirns County Highway newspaper and reading that is equally pleasurable. I’ve never seen how listening to a book being read to you can ever equal the understanding gaining by reading the book yourself.
Very reasonable stance. Pragmatic approach. As an audiobro I agree. I wish more book enjoyers were this thoughtful about it!
Great essay.
Thank you!
Fascinating perspective. I’ve been adverse to audiobooks due to views on technology, I wouldn’t use them since they’re commercialized mass entertainment media, but this is another way to present it. I suppose the formula is rather simple: narrative is best supplied by listening (although certainly distinctions and clarifications can be made since Tolkien’s superb narration, all narrative writing by extension ofc, does seem well-fitted with being written), and higher cognition is best supplied by writing. I’m wondering how this can affect the realm of homiletics and liturgy, where multimedia/audiovisual technology has been quickly imported to “modernize” religion, i.e. put it under the auspices of the technological society.
I would not say that narrative is best listened to, but rather that listening to narrative writing is more acceptable than something like philosophy. But I think written media is best read, as you point out with Tolkien. Thanks for your perspective!
I tried once to listen to an audiobook probably 15 years ago, and never attempted again. I am a good auditory learner, but it’s no way to receive what was meant to be read as the written word. I refuse and will continue to refuse to have audio for my articles, because I have written them to be read — otherwise I’d start a podcast.
If it comes down to audio or not hearing it at all/ or reading it at all I'd choose audio all day. Public transportation made enjoyable with a good audio book. I'd say most fiction and tons of history are great in audio format. Ofc it all comes down to how you the listener/ reader enjoy/ absorb the narrative / knowledge. Acoustic space is going to almost completely takeover soon. Reading is best for retention and dense texts. Everything else comes down to time, quality of narrator, and access.
P.S. yeah it counts lol when you have a conversation or hear a lecture does it count(?)
I agree that if a text was explicitly written to be read it's ideal: If someone wrote up a math textbook I could not easily learn from it through audiobook.
I will comment that there is an enormous gradation between a purely visual symbolic language text like math or computer programing and a fully experiential one like music. In addition another confounding factor is the way in which people process the written word as demonstrated in the 'lack of inner mind' topic. It would not be surprising if audiobook enjoying or not lined up roughly with Aphantasia rating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphantasia
Very interesting point. Ong also discusses the peculiar dynamics of the development of rhetoric (spoken word) as something studied exclusively textually by the ancient Greeks, which is similar to your point about music
The only time I use audio-books is when I'm reading Tolkien or other fantasy stories or sci-fi. Great essay.
Very well put. I agree entirely and I choose to continue reading books. I actually enjoy the tactile sensation of holding a book and turning the pages. I subscribe to Walter Kirns County Highway newspaper and reading that is equally pleasurable. I’ve never seen how listening to a book being read to you can ever equal the understanding gaining by reading the book yourself.
So true man. There’s really no comparison between audio and reading if you actually want to understand the book. And now I have McLuhan to back me up