Post: #26

So now we are getting somewhere. Due to the reduction of passive learning involved with reading as opposed to watching or listening to the information and the control of pace this possibly ranks reading higher.

I do see where you are coming from and definitely any skillset that is practised as opposed to just passively observed or listened to, always takes precedence in terms of learning.

The active engagement allows more memory fibres to be fired up on and would result in one being far more likely to retain the information than skimming through some movie presentation.

That may go to show why those educated under the old imperial system where reading, writing and 'rithmetic' was a must are able to compute much better than the dead drones of today who rely quite heavily on applications and so forth.
Those able to read a compass or tell by the sun position where they are in relation to north or south. Those able to perform calculations and algorithms in their head rather than punch them into some app or computer system always show the greater flexibility and put them in good standing to obtain new information skillsets.

Are there any form of learning where reading wouldn't be the most optimal, for instance, changing a car engine or putting up a house (manual type skillsets) or would reading still be the most optimal in this sense?

Post: #27

The problem with reading in our society is not that books are an inferior learning tool but that the vast majority of us have inferior reading skills. Our educational system simply doesn't teach us how to properly read for learning purposes, and even the most avid readers among us (myself included) only learn to read well at the elementary level.

We essentially learn the surface mechanics of reading and then stop before exploring advanced methods for putting this incredible skill to use.

For more on this idea, and to learn how get more out of your reading, check out "How to Read a Book," by Mortimer Adler. I'm finally reading this now after having it sit for years on my list of books to check out. It's very eye-opening regarding how much more I could be getting out of the books I consume.

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Rudyard Kipling

Post: #28

In order to really learn a subject deeper you need to read, it's as simple as that.

Think about this: all the researchers in the world learn 90% of their knowledge from reading academic or non-academic information for whatever subject that may be, whether science, the social sciences, or humanities. So basically everyone that pushes the boundaries of knowledge and technology is heavily involved in learning through reading.

If you are just interested in general knowledge, other mediums can be useful. But to understand the complexities of a subject or sub-subject, then you need to read a lot of information because written texts provide infinitely more nuance, theoretical, qualitative, and quantitative subject matter than any other medium.

Post: #29

(10-25-2014 09:14 AM)Moma Wrote:  Are there any form of learning where reading wouldn't be the most optimal, for instance, changing a car engine or putting up a house (manual type skillsets) or would reading still be the most optimal in this sense?

Moma, I don't think a distinction is easy to draw. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance regards manual skillsets as being framed within different philosophical approaches. If that counts as relevant reading then perhaps reading will always be relevant (and so in some sense optimal).

I did a little audio engineering once, and much like game there is little use theorising without a significant amount of action. Skills that involve randomness or physical activity are probably best studied in the field itself (beyond video even).

Words cannot keep up with movements and a dynamic environment.

Physical movements do not influence mindset.

All activities involve both, so depending what your emphasis is when saying 'optimal' either one can be appropriate.