I 100% agree on the audio books. Glad there's someone out there who thinks the same lol. I find them distracting. I end up doing things while they keep going. Not my thing. But I know for many they're the holy grail of reading.
Your last statement "the internet you is not you", though, got me thinking. I mean, there's certainly a number of people who deliberately try to build a different identity on social media, for whatever reason. But I do know, for example, that I am me on there. And many others are themselves (including you, I bet). My point is that we shouldn't get demoralized by over-criticism or elevated by over-praise because these comments are largely constructed to be artificial (they're not based on enough elements to be truthful and honest, as you say). So my view is that it's them that they're not them, not you that are not you on the internet. Makes sense? Anyways, my unsolicited two cents. Great piece, as always, Arman. :)
and thats a fantastic point. id never thought of that perspective.
the internet is a weird place. it emboldens people to be ruthless in a way theyd never be in person but also overly supportive in a way that might not actually be true.
I am so sorry you took that one for the team, so that we can make our own mistakes, not your mistakes. And I love the premise of this essay (beautifully punctuated with visuals!)
Normally I would agree with you. Paper trumps audio. But have you ever driven solo from Toronto to Boston? 10 hours of Matthew McConaughey riding shotgun, purring his words as company. The miles fly by. Some books are more personal via audio.
Definitely. I’ve personally come to enjoy the differences between the two. I think there’s more to enjoy from audiobooks if you commit to them in the same way as books. Sit and listen and let your mind go wherever the author intended. Also I’m very sorry that people weren’t kind. That’s not cool even if you have something to say. My recommendation for a good audiobook is Half of a Yellow Sun. It’s a damn good book. But enjoying the audio reading was something special. In a different way of course. But special nonetheless.
Thats a good idea. Treating an audiobook with the same attention you would give to one youre reading probably leads to a deeper and more memorable listening experience. Thank you for the rec ive never heard of that one!
I have one thought I’d like to share. Hopefully it doesn’t come off maliciously because that isn’t my intention. I can’t agree with the thought that listening to an audiobook isn’t reading a book or even worse that those who do are frauds. I used to feel that way so I get the sentiment. Reading and listening are two different paths for sure. But in my opinion they are two paths to the same world. It’s somewhat a privileged viewpoint to claim one over the other. Some people can’t have the experience of getting lost in the worlds we create or dive into by flipping through pages for multiple(all valid) reasons. Whether it be disability or just time and strains of life. It sits wrong with me to say that their experiences are not only less valid but also fraudulent when all they are doing is try to enjoy the same worlds I escape to. I haven’t looked through the comments so I don’t know if I’m just repeating a sentiment but I hope this makes you look at it a little differently.
This was actually quite similar to most of the Twitter comments and DMs I received, but yours was much friendlier :)
I'll admit, I've changed my view on audiobooks since I wrote this over a year ago. I do listen to them occasionally.
I think listening to an audiobook is still way better than not listening. Especially if you use that time to watch the news or some other trash content.
I'm always open to changing my mind. But I do still think a book can hit you on a different level when you spend the time to sit down and read it rather than listening in the background while you're doing something else.
Agree on audiobooks. I was given one for a birthday, years ago, a hag of a sort of romantic story and not in English or any other European language which I always prefer. I politely told the friend it wasn’t something I’d do. She went into a rant about how wonderful audiobooks are. Urrgh.
I prefer paper, books I sit down with and lose track of time while reading though it can be tricky with 3 cats 🙄.
And, well, Xitter is Xitter, it can be a bottomless pit of egotistical ranting personae, and then there are small groups of kind, caring people.
Audiobooks feel like cheating, but I could just be old school. There's still nothing better than sitting down with a physical book. I love the smell of books!
Haha that is very true. I haven't been on Twitter in months and don't plan on going back any time soon.
I couldn't agree more. I get the same reaction when I post a painting I'm doing asking for feedback and all I get is it';s wonderful etc. This is not what I'm looking for and such responses
are only superficial. People just don't understand or think thru what I'm after -- I'm not interested in selling only trying to improve. Obviously , this is not the right forum for me.
people usually default to being supportive but its better to get honest feedback so we actually know whats working and whats not. id love to see your paintings!
haha.. i had a similar reaction on a linkedin post some months back... I'd said something like one of my interview questions is for the candidate to show me their email inbox and if it was messy i immediately thanked them for their time and ended it. As a person needs to be organized to work with me.
And it lit the Linkedin airwaves on fire... with folks calling me evil etc i loved it however hahahaa
I 100% agree on the audio books. Glad there's someone out there who thinks the same lol. I find them distracting. I end up doing things while they keep going. Not my thing. But I know for many they're the holy grail of reading.
Your last statement "the internet you is not you", though, got me thinking. I mean, there's certainly a number of people who deliberately try to build a different identity on social media, for whatever reason. But I do know, for example, that I am me on there. And many others are themselves (including you, I bet). My point is that we shouldn't get demoralized by over-criticism or elevated by over-praise because these comments are largely constructed to be artificial (they're not based on enough elements to be truthful and honest, as you say). So my view is that it's them that they're not them, not you that are not you on the internet. Makes sense? Anyways, my unsolicited two cents. Great piece, as always, Arman. :)
i knew i liked you for a reason!
and thats a fantastic point. id never thought of that perspective.
the internet is a weird place. it emboldens people to be ruthless in a way theyd never be in person but also overly supportive in a way that might not actually be true.
i always welcome your two cents Silvio!
I am so sorry you took that one for the team, so that we can make our own mistakes, not your mistakes. And I love the premise of this essay (beautifully punctuated with visuals!)
Normally I would agree with you. Paper trumps audio. But have you ever driven solo from Toronto to Boston? 10 hours of Matthew McConaughey riding shotgun, purring his words as company. The miles fly by. Some books are more personal via audio.
haha i love making mistakes so hopefully others dont have to.
and that is a great point. i just never think of audiobooks for that. my go to would be an 8 hour balaji srinivasan podcast.
Uninhibited internet spicyness is rather silly indeed
but a little spicyness makes everything taste better
lol most definitely
Definitely. I’ve personally come to enjoy the differences between the two. I think there’s more to enjoy from audiobooks if you commit to them in the same way as books. Sit and listen and let your mind go wherever the author intended. Also I’m very sorry that people weren’t kind. That’s not cool even if you have something to say. My recommendation for a good audiobook is Half of a Yellow Sun. It’s a damn good book. But enjoying the audio reading was something special. In a different way of course. But special nonetheless.
Thats a good idea. Treating an audiobook with the same attention you would give to one youre reading probably leads to a deeper and more memorable listening experience. Thank you for the rec ive never heard of that one!
I have one thought I’d like to share. Hopefully it doesn’t come off maliciously because that isn’t my intention. I can’t agree with the thought that listening to an audiobook isn’t reading a book or even worse that those who do are frauds. I used to feel that way so I get the sentiment. Reading and listening are two different paths for sure. But in my opinion they are two paths to the same world. It’s somewhat a privileged viewpoint to claim one over the other. Some people can’t have the experience of getting lost in the worlds we create or dive into by flipping through pages for multiple(all valid) reasons. Whether it be disability or just time and strains of life. It sits wrong with me to say that their experiences are not only less valid but also fraudulent when all they are doing is try to enjoy the same worlds I escape to. I haven’t looked through the comments so I don’t know if I’m just repeating a sentiment but I hope this makes you look at it a little differently.
Thank you for sharing this point Ifeanyi.
This was actually quite similar to most of the Twitter comments and DMs I received, but yours was much friendlier :)
I'll admit, I've changed my view on audiobooks since I wrote this over a year ago. I do listen to them occasionally.
I think listening to an audiobook is still way better than not listening. Especially if you use that time to watch the news or some other trash content.
I'm always open to changing my mind. But I do still think a book can hit you on a different level when you spend the time to sit down and read it rather than listening in the background while you're doing something else.
Agree on audiobooks. I was given one for a birthday, years ago, a hag of a sort of romantic story and not in English or any other European language which I always prefer. I politely told the friend it wasn’t something I’d do. She went into a rant about how wonderful audiobooks are. Urrgh.
I prefer paper, books I sit down with and lose track of time while reading though it can be tricky with 3 cats 🙄.
And, well, Xitter is Xitter, it can be a bottomless pit of egotistical ranting personae, and then there are small groups of kind, caring people.
Audiobooks feel like cheating, but I could just be old school. There's still nothing better than sitting down with a physical book. I love the smell of books!
Haha that is very true. I haven't been on Twitter in months and don't plan on going back any time soon.
Great post, but now . . . the question is begged, "Who are you really?"
im still trying to figure that out myself :)
gotta love the internet
its a beautifully strange place
Stay spicy.
its the best flavor of all
I couldn't agree more. I get the same reaction when I post a painting I'm doing asking for feedback and all I get is it';s wonderful etc. This is not what I'm looking for and such responses
are only superficial. People just don't understand or think thru what I'm after -- I'm not interested in selling only trying to improve. Obviously , this is not the right forum for me.
people usually default to being supportive but its better to get honest feedback so we actually know whats working and whats not. id love to see your paintings!
How can I upload pictures here. I tried to copy and paste but it didn't work
im not sure if you can, but email me armankho@fastmail.com
Hopefully you received the email. Remember I'm looking for objective feedback. Anything you say will be appreciated. Thanks
let me find it. will do!
haha.. i had a similar reaction on a linkedin post some months back... I'd said something like one of my interview questions is for the candidate to show me their email inbox and if it was messy i immediately thanked them for their time and ended it. As a person needs to be organized to work with me.
And it lit the Linkedin airwaves on fire... with folks calling me evil etc i loved it however hahahaa
thats actually a great rule of thumb. working in sales has taught me the invaluable lesson of keeping my work email inbox at zero unread at all times!
they certainly tried their best haha but i havent been wiped out yet!