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Books vs. Podcasts

2,584 Views | 21 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by StinkyPinky
Capybara
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11:32a, 6/17/24
Sitting in a waiting room and thought of this on opening the browser.

Why do so many seem to think listening to any podcast, no matter the person behind it, the production value, etc., is comparable to reading a good book? I understand people being lazy obviously, but seeing so many comments on here wherein people (dads) detail how they've introduced their kids to so many podcasts and channels and how much they're learning has me flummoxed. Nothing compares to the active process that quality reading entails, as far as I'm concerned. Plus, all of the content on YouTube and wherever else is bloated (ironic) and often performed by guys with the typical annoyingly nasal, feminized millennial/Gen X voice.

Introduce more children to Lemony Snicket and more adults to Steven Runciman and Yuri Slezkine and more. Tired of pretending that Dan Carlin, Mike Duncan, etc. are these premier talents, as nice as the two of them may be.
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aggieforester05
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11:55a, 6/17/24
AG
How do audiobooks play into your question? I listen to both audiobooks and podcasts while driving, mowing, doing physical tasks at work (not at the desk as I can't pay attention). At this point in my life sitting down to read a book is not really an option due to time constraints. I think it largely depends on the content you're listening too.

Do I learn more by listening to a Sci-Fi audiobook than I do a JRE podcasts with highly influential and intelligent guests?

What is it about the book format that makes it so much better at relaying information to the consumer?

Is it just that books are traditionally considered the best medium for educating oneself?

One can learn a little bit about a lot of things by watching a variety of topics covered by youtube videos or documentaries or they can learn a lot of detail about one or a few things if they watch a series of videos that dive into the details of those subjects. Is that still worse than a book because it doesn't require you to use your imagination to the same extent? Do people think it's worse because our grandparents and in some cases parents told us that TV will rot your brain?

Are nontraditional forms of media looked down upon because they require less effort to get the same material?

I don't think the answers are clear cut and are largely dependent on the content, the person, the setting, and the time spent consuming the media.
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Definitely Not A Cop
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12:47p, 6/17/24
AG
For most of written history, books were read to everyone. They were too expensive to mass produce.
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BadMoonRisin
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12:57p, 6/17/24
AG
Are you talking specifically about kids?

Do you have kids?
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MookieBlaylock
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1:15p, 6/17/24
AG
Hard to drive or walk while trading

Plus penthouse cut out their letters
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aggieforester05
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2:00p, 6/17/24
AG
Another thing to consider is that podcasts/audiobooks don't necessarily replace books, they just open up opportunities for people to consume media when they otherwise wouldn't be. There's probably few times that people will listen to an audiobook or podcast when they would otherwise be reading a book. Additionally, they can turn an otherwise mundane task into a learning opportunity.
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AustinAg2K
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3:05p, 6/17/24
I totally agree with the OP, which is why I only read when driving to and from work.
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Eliminatus
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3:16p, 6/17/24
AG
Everyone digests information differently and what may work best for one, may not be true for the other. That is the answer to your question. Aside from in the moment considerations like driving of course. I used to think it was mostly just a personal preference, until enough things hit my head that it is extremely hard for me to process and more importantly, retain, spoken information now. (what a nightmare college was because of it). I am one of those you can tell me something and I will be fully engaged with you and nodding and then not be able to repeat it back 30 seconds after. It's just my reality now. So if that is true, the opposite is also possible of course and it jives with the many times I have heard, "I just can't retain/learn what I read" from people I have tried to get into reading books over the years.

Also, what the hell did Dan Carlin ever do to you?!
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Philo B 93
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3:36p, 6/17/24
What if a podcast identifies as a paper book?
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Capybara
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In reply to aggieforester05 • 4:43p, 6/17/24
aggieforester05 said:
How do audiobooks play into your question? I listen to both audiobooks and podcasts while driving, mowing, doing physical tasks at work (not at the desk as I can't pay attention). At this point in my life sitting down to read a book is not really an option due to time constraints. I think it largely depends on the content you're listening too.

Do I learn more by listening to a Sci-Fi audiobook than I do a JRE podcasts with highly influential and intelligent guests?

What is it about the book format that makes it so much better at relaying information to the consumer?

Is it just that books are traditionally considered the best medium for educating oneself?

One can learn a little bit about a lot of things by watching a variety of topics covered by youtube videos or documentaries or they can learn a lot of detail about one or a few things if they watch a series of videos that dive into the details of those subjects. Is that still worse than a book because it doesn't require you to use your imagination to the same extent? Do people think it's worse because our grandparents and in some cases parents told us that TV will rot your brain?

Are nontraditional forms of media looked down upon because they require less effort to get the same material?

I don't think the answers are clear cut and are largely dependent on the content, the person, the setting, and the time spent consuming the media.
To be clear, most books are bad to terrible. But it's easy to tell within the first paragraph or two, so no issue.

Audiobooks: can't do them. Retain little to nothing. I understand everyone is different, but, at best, I get lost in the voice and space out; at worst, I feel held captive by a poor performance. Doesn't matter if it's fiction or otherwise.

Podcasts: can no longer listen to those spoken in ordinary voice and cadence. Need a good performance. Everything else is in one ear and out the other. Caribbean Rhythms is the only one that fits my criteria: a sense of humor, propulsion, performance, sharp intellect.

And tv does rot your brain. Tiktok - - evolved TV - - only speeds this up. As for YouTube, I'm ambivalent on its educational quality. Video content has always been a crutch for laziness. Much better to work with your hands or have a powerful presence guide you in person: a philosopher, in other words. But where have they gone?

The book form forces you to engage in a dialogue with its author(s). Someone else brought up the oral tradition: audiobooks don't fit the bill. Someone teaching or telling a story in a common physical space is both different from that and superior to it.
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Wolfpac 08
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In reply to Capybara • 4:51p, 6/17/24
AG
Quote:
To be clear, most books are bad to terrible. But it's easy to tell within the first paragraph or two, so no issue.

This may be one of the more ridiculous things I've read on this site…and I frequent the GB. Congrats.

B- troll
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Capybara
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In reply to Wolfpac 08 • 5:03p, 6/17/24
I'm not trolling. I'm partial to literature, even scholarship, with distinctive voice propelling it.
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Four Seasons Landscaping
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In reply to Capybara • 5:09p, 6/17/24
Quote:
Tired of pretending that DAN CARLIN, Mike Duncan, etc. are these premier talents, as nice as the two of them may be.
Shut your ***** *** mouth.
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Capybara
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In reply to Eliminatus • 5:24p, 6/17/24
Eliminatus said:
Everyone digests information differently and what may work best for one, may not be true for the other. That is the answer to your question. Aside from in the moment considerations like driving of course. I used to think it was mostly just a personal preference, until enough things hit my head that it is extremely hard for me to process and more importantly, retain, spoken information now. (what a nightmare college was because of it). I am one of those you can tell me something and I will be fully engaged with you and nodding and then not be able to repeat it back 30 seconds after. It's just my reality now. So if that is true, the opposite is also possible of course and it jives with the many times I have heard, "I just can't retain/learn what I read" from people I have tried to get into reading books over the years.

Also, what the hell did Dan Carlin ever do to you?!
He's too centrist, too reasonable. And there are quicker and potentially better ways to digest information rather than reading. Absolutely there are. I'm more concerned with great style and urgency when it comes to prose. Oration for that matter as well.

These people who can't retain/learn via reading? That'd be fine if the other modes of information transfer and/or stylistic imprint weren't garbage at the moment. But maybe I'm simply a snob on these matters.

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Capybara
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In reply to Four Seasons Landscaping • 5:30p, 6/17/24
Four Seasons Landscaping said:
Quote:
Tired of pretending that DAN CARLIN, Mike Duncan, etc. are these premier talents, as nice as the two of them may be.
Shut your ***** *** mouth.
Here's his issue: he attracts too many fans. Too American for his own good.
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Capybara
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In reply to BadMoonRisin • 5:37p, 6/17/24
BadMoonRisin said:
Are you talking specifically about kids?

Do you have kids?
No and no. Probably too gay for that. We'll see.

Anyway, I don't think children need to read all that much. Just need to read high quality books when they do sit down or lay down or however they're doing it.
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Four Seasons Landscaping
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6:25p, 6/17/24
Good troll, got me.
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I Am A Critic
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In reply to Capybara • 6:27p, 6/17/24
Capybara said:
Sitting in a waiting room and thought of this on opening the browser.

Why do so many seem to think listening to any podcast, no matter the person behind it, the production value, etc., is comparable to reading a good book? I understand people being lazy obviously, but seeing so many comments on here wherein people (dads) detail how they've introduced their kids to so many podcasts and channels and how much they're learning has me flummoxed. Nothing compares to the active process that quality reading entails, as far as I'm concerned. Plus, all of the content on YouTube and wherever else is bloated (ironic) and often performed by guys with the typical annoyingly nasal, feminized millennial/Gen X voice.

Introduce more children to Lemony Snicket and more adults to Steven Runciman and Yuri Slezkine and more. Tired of pretending that Dan Carlin, Mike Duncan, etc. are these premier talents, as nice as the two of them may be.
Try actually listening to a podcast or watching Youtube before committing yourself to poorly concieved conclusions.
Username checks out.
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Aggie_Journalist
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6:44p, 6/17/24
AG
Podcasts being free is a big plus. Some are quite entertaining and, if not, it's not like I wasted money on them.

I'd highly recommend Libby to audiobook lovers. The app gives you free access to your library's audio books. All you need is a library card.
Thanks and gig'em
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Capybara
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In reply to Four Seasons Landscaping • 7:43p, 6/17/24
That reply is the only time I've gotten cute in this thread. Everything else is genuine. I'm just a weird guy, for better or worse.
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StinkyPinky
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In reply to Capybara • 1:33p, 6/18/24
AG
Capybara said:
I'm just a weird guy, for better or worse.
Do we get to choose?
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StinkyPinky
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1:37p, 6/18/24
AG
I've never been a fan of an audio book. To be honest I only tried it a couple of times and found myself getting distracted and realized I missed parts and had to keep going back. My mind wandered too much. Is audio book's cheating? Cheating what not really sure, just feels like cheating rather than having to use my eye balls as well. I only recently have given podcasts a chance. Found some of them to be worthwhile if I'm on a long drive. But hard for me to find a good one. I went through several on my way to and back from Omaha this weekend and felt majority of them where the same and low quality and annoying people. Yes, I yelled at eh clouds about it. Still would rather to kick back with a good hardback/paperback and go at my pace and allow distractions with an open invitation.
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