Tag Archives: listening vs. reading

TNF #096: Listening is the new reading

Welcome Professionals…

… I have been a regular listener of podcasts during my daily commute for a couple of years now. This summer holiday season, I additionally discovered audio books. There is quite a large selection available these days and virtually every bestseller can also be found in an audio version.

With a range of available smartphone apps you do not need to worry about large boxes with 22 CDs anymore. All what is required is an app and a download of a few hundred megabytes.

What I discovered is not only the availabilty and ease of audio books, but their increased value to reading. Reading is an activity that I enjoy, but it also consumes a lot of attention. I have been listening recently to the bestseller of Daniel Kahneman “Thinking, fast and slow” and have identified the following advantages of listening versus reading.

I find it more enjoyable, because I can listen to the book and look at the beautiful landscape at the same time. I am able to read more during my vacation time because I can combine it with other activities, like watching the kids in the pool, exercising, driving, or doing the dishes. Most importantly, during concentrated listening, it seems to give me more capacity to consider the material and transfer it to my personal life.

Enjoy your summer vacations – hopefully with a good book!

Malte

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