Post: #1

So I recently picked up a textbook that my niece was reading for her sophomore level ethics course. I attempted to read a couple of arguments, but was confused and irritated. I came to the conclusion that my reading comprehension is absolute shit - and it always has been. For every standardized test, I've managed to get around my less than average comprehension by compensating in other fields (science and math). In college, I would find out the professors stance on certain subjects to construct an argument that I knew they would favor to get the grade I needed.

I'm starting to think it's more of a focus thing, as I sometimes have to reread multiple sentences at a time because I'm too scatterbrained to put all my concentration into the paragraph in front of me. Also, I've noticed that the books I read are usually written in non flowery, truthful language that gets straight to the point.

What are some books or tips do you guys have to gradually boost reading comprehension? I fear that if I jump straight into some abstract philosophical text that I won't even be able to digest anything.

Any advice is appreciated.

Post: #2

Practice makes perfect. The only way to really increase your reading comprehension is to read a lot. Start with something that you do understand, and work your way up. There's no shortcut, there's no secret. It's like learning your multiplication tables. Expanding your vocabulary is also helpful, but only marginally so.

Post: #3

Read books that test you.

I complain about books I'm reading all the time. They are super dense and technical. Most books that matter are.

Most people read fiction. Never read fiction.

Do you really want the book you're struggling with to come out on video 2 months later?

Non-fiction expands your mind. Fiction bottles it. There are exceptions (1984, Brave New World, and a handful of others),

Start by reading shit you are interested in. I read a 700 page book on the Panama Canal because it was interesting to me. I found that shit fascinating. Find things that grab your interests and don't let go.

Reading is the single best habit you can pick up. Find me a wealthy man without a library in his home. He won't exist. Wealthy men learn from others.

Post: #4

"Sciences" that rank low in rigor (sociology, gender studies, I'm assuming ethics too) intentionally use obfuscating language to make it less accessible. Psychologists, sociologists, etc; all understand on some level that their job security depends on making a teacher necessary, so a "big vocabulary" and the ability to make long and convoluted sentences is in high demand.

You can usually find complete horseshit like this in any soft sciences textbook.

"Various ingroups and subsects of modern society under commonly accepted norms and mores use primary sensory modalities to consume information directly, whether this communicative stratum is visual, audial, or some combination of the two"

Translation : "Modern people read, listen to radio, and watch TV."

So if I had to take a stab, your diagnosis might not be inaccurate but I wouldn't rule out the deep-rooted linguistic cuckery of soft sciences either.

I agree with wi30 that you should just find something fairly dense, nonfiction, and interesting and read up on it. For example I spent a couple of years reading whatever I could find about Ernest Shackleton's voyage on the Endurance expedition because it was fascinating. From there I read a few more nautically themed books (Captain Cook's trip was pretty fucking cool) and still want to read "Two Years Before the Mast". I wouldn't rule out fiction necessarily if it's something that makes you read on a somewhat consistent basis. James Michener novels in particular are great fun.