#acceleread

Need for speed in Internet age

So apparently we are now running so short on time that we can’t just read as usual anymore, but we need to “speed read”. This probably makes perfect sense in our sped-up world.

Since I’m always interested in finding new ways to take in information faster, I had a look at…

I don't read books often. I get distracted. It feels like a chore. But, yesterday, I finished the last 160 pages of a book I've been "reading" for 2 months, and read 240 pages of another new book in my queue. Today, while running on a treadmill, I read 40 pages of a third book that I've been trying to get through for a while.

How the hell did that happen?

I downloaded this really cool iOS app called Acceleread 3 days ago. It's initial evaluation had me at 339wpm with good comprehension, and while I think the exercises will increase my reading speed over time, I don't think those exercises get all the credit for making me suddenly read almost 450 pages of three books in 24 hours.

When I was reading some of the literature in Acceleread about how speed-reading works, I came across the concept of regression. Regression is the word for when you get to the bottom of a page and think "Uhh... what did I just read?" It happens when your mind wanders because you're reading too slowly to keep it entertained. The theory goes that if you can read faster, your mind doesn't get bored, and regression naturally stops.

I shit you not: what made me read all that stuff so quickly is I just decided to try to read faster. The minute I realized my mind wandering or myself subvocalizing (when you say all the words in your head), I would go back one sentence and refocus on reading fast. Maybe I was just having a temporary Rainman episode, and when I sit down to read tonight I'll be back to my fidgety self, but I doubt it.