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Thread: 189 channels is nothing compared to 3.4

  1. #11
    Senior Member SteveinMN's Avatar
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    I have to admit I'm not much of a "reader" in the customary sense of looking at a series of large-ish books with randomly-chosen subjects. But I'm also not much of a TV watcher (in fact, not generally a fan of video because so much of it is done so poorly).

    I prefer to read tech stuff -- things about computer security or industrial design, or how X is produced, or about how Soandso invented a facet of the Internet or a new treatment for a chronic disease. And I'd rather read on my computer, since if there's something into which I want to dive more completely, a quick highlight with the pointer and a right-click gives me a Web browser tab that starts me on my way. Or lets me look up words I don't know. Or backgrounds of people I'm reading about. Video is okay but too many times I'm watching something and thinking "Just get on with it!!".

    But that's just me.

    ETA: Back in 1992, Bruce Springsteen released a song called "57 Channels (and Nothin' On)" This is not a new issue.
    Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. - Booker T. Washington

  2. #12
    Senior Member KayLR's Avatar
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    Yes, I do feel like a dying breed in answer to your original question. I don't see too many people in my sphere reading on their lunch break like I used to, but checking social media.

    My DH reads several books a week. A technophobe, he uses the library. I do too, but not to his level. I download books to my ancient Kindle Fire, too.

    Currently I have two checked out from the library --one is a YA novel in Spanish--but I find myself listening to podcasts a lot lately, too, while sewing or doing another project.

    DH actually reads while the tv runs in the background. He just has to have it on. Once while we were both reading I asked if we could just turn it off, and he looked at me like I was an alien or something.
    My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished two bags of M&Ms and a chocolate cake. I feel better already!

  3. #13
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
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    I usually read with background noise, too. When I was in school, I used to study with the TV on all the time.

  4. #14
    Senior Member iris lilies's Avatar
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    I am re-watching The Sopranos. I did not watch this show when it was first released, and as it was released. I watched induring 2014-2015 after it finished.

    I am watching on my Ipad, it sits within 10-12” of my face.

    I am finding this kind of viewing experience to be impactful. Tony Soprano sits on my chest every evening. He and I are pretty connected.

  5. #15
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    I have the original Kindle Fire and it no longer has updates, etc. The web access is pretty limited as most things won't load or run. The book portion still works fine, however for a recent trip abroad I got a Samsung Tablet that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Downloaded the Kindle app and now have access to everything! I also have a few books loaded onto my simple android phone as well as several hard-copy books. I like reading but don't do it as much as I would like. With our recent disconnect from cable, I'm starting to read more. I like it!
    To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." Mahatma Gandhi
    Be nice whenever possible. It's always possible. HH Dalai Lama
    In a world where you can be anything - be kind. Unknown

  6. #16
    Yppej
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    I read physical not electronic books and I create my own non-background noise because I like to read them out loud. It sinks the book into me and helps keep my mind from wandering. I find in the electronic age I am more distractable and have a shorter attention span. I also read a couple of magazines hard copy.

  7. #17
    Senior Member catherine's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Yppej View Post
    I read physical not electronic books and I create my own non-background noise because I like to read them out loud. It sinks the book into me and helps keep my mind from wandering. I find in the electronic age I am more distractable and have a shorter attention span. I also read a couple of magazines hard copy.
    Wow. That. must take forever to read a book! I realize speed is not the objective here, but I wouldn't read out loud unless someone asked me to read to them. I like to occasionally speed-read through passages that are less interesting. But I totally understand that reading outloud would help focus you on the content. I would probably enjoy reading some authors out loud.
    "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?" Emily Webb, Our Town
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  8. #18
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Yppej View Post
    I read physical not electronic books and I create my own non-background noise because I like to read them out loud. It sinks the book into me and helps keep my mind from wandering. I find in the electronic age I am more distractable and have a shorter attention span. I also read a couple of magazines hard copy.
    That electronic attention span thing is real. I didn't have much of one to begin with, but now--zowie! I'm like a gnat on crack.

  9. #19
    Senior Member Tradd's Avatar
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    My Great Lakes shipwreck books are mostly hard copy. Some just aren’t available on Kindle. I first got a Kindle in 2007 or 2008. I was an early adopter among friends who weren’t business travelers. I’ve had a Kindle Paperwhite since 2012. Doesn’t hold the best battery charge now. Considering trading it in on a new one. Not sure yet. I read a lot on my IPhone 8 Plus, which has a lovely big screen.

    I have certain friends who read a lot down to the coworker who openly admits she only reads the 50 Shades of Gray books. I looked at one back when they first came out. The writing was horrid. My favorite fiction authors are Austen and Dickens, although I will admit being a huge fan of a vintage British romance author. Her books can be expensive in used copies but they are all available on Kindle (over 100). There is a Facebook group for the author that is just a lovely place.

    I’ve recently started getting the newspaper delivered and I love it. I would read the news online, but the pop up ads even if you have a paid subscription just got to be much too annoying. I’ve refently started getting two magazines, as well The Weekly Standard and Time. I remember when Time was about $100 a year in the early 90s. Now it is about $30! I primarily would get my news via radio - mainstream WGN here in Chicago and the local all news AM station (not talk radio, all news). I’m very much enjoying reading in-depth.

    I have a 24” TV with a digital antenna. I almost exclusively watch PBS. I went without a TV for 13 years, even during Downton Abbey! I just watched online. I’ve had one for two years now. Sometimes I’ll watch the WGN TV news. Weather guy Tom Skilling is great.

    I miss hard copy books sometimes but the problem is moving them! I used to have so many books, and moving every couple of years was quite difficult from all the books. My books fit in one large tote now. I’ve lived in the same place for a bit over 10 years.

  10. #20
    Senior Member Tradd's Avatar
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    It’s wonderful having access to so many books easily on Kindle. I don’t use the library eBooks as they usually don’t have what I want to read available.

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