I can’t believe I read that wonderful essay on my stupid phone. Is an experience unshared somehow less valuable than an experience shared? This needs thinking about...
PS kindle vs books is the same as electronic vs cash: use it or lose it!
Dec 8, 2023·edited Dec 8, 2023Liked by Christopher Gage
Confusing phantasy with reality? You most surely are but a certain amount of doing so is all part of The Good Life in my view. You're definitely on to something....or do I mean on something? My own rant is this: the curse of the non-fiction book, however consumed. I asked the question of a well known Substacker yesterday whether he leavened his voracious consumption of statistic-heavy 'research' with some novel reading. "I never read fiction" was his answer....phew!
My bookshelf space is full so I currently get fiction on Kindle and non-fiction in print. It’s a compromise. I’d prefer all print. The only time I’ve done audio books is on a long road trip. It beats listening to the radio for 8 hours.
What a loveable crank. I know because I can be a grumpy old man.
I live in my head 10 years behind the times though I am reading and typing with one finger on a smart phone with auto text disabled.
Fact, it is slower than my longhand which is largely unintelligible, even for me. And with rereading to eliminate miss types, lost letters, and edit editing thoughts to make them comprehendable, I find it excruciatingly slow.
I fought the Kindle tooth and nail and then my daughter bought me one. Close enough to hoist by me own petard, that; we're gonna have to disagree there. (I tried very hard to at least separate myself from the Besos Borg but the Nook simply wasn't ready for prime time.) Audio books, though: There Was a Time when I was doing a LOT of driving, the result of which I experienced Moby Dick among others that I doubt I would have any other way. But the real surprise was Ulysses -- it was actually written to be performed.
I loved reading this. I’ve recently realized how much time I waste on this phone screen. My husband and I were just reminiscing the one telephone everyone in the home shared. I tend to prefer the past but these new gadgets can benefit those of us with challenges. Otherwise, it doesn’t appear they are making life better. What happened to daydreaming? Time well spent. I refuse to feel guilty and unproductive because I don’t multitask. You wrote so well on this important topic. Thank you.
Hey. Sorry. I'm not riding this train. I think that it's more pretension than practicality. I'm an old guy; I read probably four books a week. Years ago I always stuck with the printed page because I considered electronics to be, frankly, bullshit. It was snobbery, I admit.
Then my wife got me a Kindle and suddenly, when we went on vacation, I didn't have to bring a second suitcase full of books for a two week or three week trip. I'd throw my Kindle in my overnight and take off. If I was on a business trip, I'd throw my Kindle in my briefcase, and take off.
The key is volume. If you read a book every week our two, or fewer, go paper. If you are a voracious reader, or tired of going to sleep until what you're reading whacks you in the face, tablet is the way to go.
I can't do Kindles, I'm autistic and the light they emit mucks up melanin production in my brain which is already an issue for me. I read an actual book in bed, every night. Mostly crime novels but sometimes something a bit more "high brow". Although I'm still using the final book in Hilary Mantels trilogy as a yoga block.....I wish I could get my youngest to read. He enjoys being read to (I'm the woman of a thousand voices 😂). He's wedded to his games. Sigh. The other day he was bored. I told him how I entertained myself as a child in the 70s and 80s. He was most unimpressed 🤣
I handwrite all of my drafts-- on used teletype paper from the printer next to my desk at work. For me, I guess it’s more habit than anything, but there is very real intention to it, even if/when I’m using a pencil.
Wow, if this article is the product on writing by hand, then every writer on the internet who is capable of writing by hand (myself included) should be forced to create that way!
Enjoyed this! My wife is a huge fan of audio books, but I find myself too distracted when trying to listen to one and stay focused. I spent my career as a techno nerd, an early adopter of many gadgets and gizmos, but I am slowly turning away from all social media and the convenience of algo-driven consumption. I am on substack and subscribe to many podcasts and take notes with real pen and paper to aide in developing my own weekly postings. I don't think the tortoise is winning, but it's fun to think so!
This is great!
I can’t believe I read that wonderful essay on my stupid phone. Is an experience unshared somehow less valuable than an experience shared? This needs thinking about...
PS kindle vs books is the same as electronic vs cash: use it or lose it!
Confusing phantasy with reality? You most surely are but a certain amount of doing so is all part of The Good Life in my view. You're definitely on to something....or do I mean on something? My own rant is this: the curse of the non-fiction book, however consumed. I asked the question of a well known Substacker yesterday whether he leavened his voracious consumption of statistic-heavy 'research' with some novel reading. "I never read fiction" was his answer....phew!
A delightful read by the way so Thank you.
My bookshelf space is full so I currently get fiction on Kindle and non-fiction in print. It’s a compromise. I’d prefer all print. The only time I’ve done audio books is on a long road trip. It beats listening to the radio for 8 hours.
What a loveable crank. I know because I can be a grumpy old man.
I live in my head 10 years behind the times though I am reading and typing with one finger on a smart phone with auto text disabled.
Fact, it is slower than my longhand which is largely unintelligible, even for me. And with rereading to eliminate miss types, lost letters, and edit editing thoughts to make them comprehendable, I find it excruciatingly slow.
So now I am eleven years behind.
I fought the Kindle tooth and nail and then my daughter bought me one. Close enough to hoist by me own petard, that; we're gonna have to disagree there. (I tried very hard to at least separate myself from the Besos Borg but the Nook simply wasn't ready for prime time.) Audio books, though: There Was a Time when I was doing a LOT of driving, the result of which I experienced Moby Dick among others that I doubt I would have any other way. But the real surprise was Ulysses -- it was actually written to be performed.
Be well, as always, Sir
I loved reading this. I’ve recently realized how much time I waste on this phone screen. My husband and I were just reminiscing the one telephone everyone in the home shared. I tend to prefer the past but these new gadgets can benefit those of us with challenges. Otherwise, it doesn’t appear they are making life better. What happened to daydreaming? Time well spent. I refuse to feel guilty and unproductive because I don’t multitask. You wrote so well on this important topic. Thank you.
Anna Karenina is great. And thusly I fulfil my purpose. Let all here know I have read Anna Karenina. Great piece Christopher 🔥🙌
Hey. Sorry. I'm not riding this train. I think that it's more pretension than practicality. I'm an old guy; I read probably four books a week. Years ago I always stuck with the printed page because I considered electronics to be, frankly, bullshit. It was snobbery, I admit.
Then my wife got me a Kindle and suddenly, when we went on vacation, I didn't have to bring a second suitcase full of books for a two week or three week trip. I'd throw my Kindle in my overnight and take off. If I was on a business trip, I'd throw my Kindle in my briefcase, and take off.
The key is volume. If you read a book every week our two, or fewer, go paper. If you are a voracious reader, or tired of going to sleep until what you're reading whacks you in the face, tablet is the way to go.
Great dark humour on a serious topic. Well written, probably because you used a pen and not a keyboard.
I can't do Kindles, I'm autistic and the light they emit mucks up melanin production in my brain which is already an issue for me. I read an actual book in bed, every night. Mostly crime novels but sometimes something a bit more "high brow". Although I'm still using the final book in Hilary Mantels trilogy as a yoga block.....I wish I could get my youngest to read. He enjoys being read to (I'm the woman of a thousand voices 😂). He's wedded to his games. Sigh. The other day he was bored. I told him how I entertained myself as a child in the 70s and 80s. He was most unimpressed 🤣
I handwrite all of my drafts-- on used teletype paper from the printer next to my desk at work. For me, I guess it’s more habit than anything, but there is very real intention to it, even if/when I’m using a pencil.
Amen, sir! Well said and so true!
Wow, if this article is the product on writing by hand, then every writer on the internet who is capable of writing by hand (myself included) should be forced to create that way!
Enjoyed this! My wife is a huge fan of audio books, but I find myself too distracted when trying to listen to one and stay focused. I spent my career as a techno nerd, an early adopter of many gadgets and gizmos, but I am slowly turning away from all social media and the convenience of algo-driven consumption. I am on substack and subscribe to many podcasts and take notes with real pen and paper to aide in developing my own weekly postings. I don't think the tortoise is winning, but it's fun to think so!
Happy New Year my favorite funny guy.
Thank you.
I’m working on it. Trying to become a paid subscriber.
Lots of love and laughs to you Chris Gage.