Okay, so cards on the table time. I have a problem with speed reading. I'm a naturally slow reader, but when it comes to fiction, I think that's all right. I take time to give the characters voices, I read in accents, I pause when the punctuation tells me to. This all adds to my enjoyment of a book, creating the drama and timing in my head.
I have, however, always had a fascination with speed reading. In my first year of uni, I splurged at the university bookshop and bought all my course texts, as well as one called 'How to Speed Read'. The irony is, I never read it. I dipped in and out, but it seemed absurd. I wanted to try it, but never wanted to get myself in a position where I couldn't remember how not to do it. Does that make sense? I didn't want to not be able to switch it off.
About eight years later, I was working at a uni, and embarking on an MSc in a subject I knew would be very dry. My employers offered all kinds of 'professional development' opportunities, so I signed up for a half-day speed reading class, on the basis that if I was going to have to read deadly dull articles and books for my course, I could at least read them quickly, without falling asleep first.
The course was pure twaddle. It concentrated on increasing your speed, but decreasing your retention of the subject matter. What? Why would I want to read something quickly but not remember it? Just so I could say I've read it? I got quite shirty with the leader, and challenged her on many points, a lot of which she couldn't adequately defend. I felt sorry for the students of the uni, as there were many overworked lecturers there seeking a way of reading their 300+ essays a week in a shorter time - by decreasing their attention and retention.
So when I read about Spritz - via EliteDaily (thanks, guys!) - I was conflicted. They claim you can read a novel in 90 minutes using their app, which flashes words up on the screen individually. Not the first mobile app to do this, but Spritz has worked out the optimum position to put the word in, and the best letter of the word to concentrate on, so your brain saves time by not having to scan and process the whole word.
Non fiction however? Ooh, yes please. Do I want to get through a business manual in an hour. Yes! (The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss would seem an apt choice for experimentation) Can I speed read that government report for a seminar I have coming up? Absolutely, where do I pay?
So when my device is good enough to get it, I'll download Spritz, but only for work and non-fiction. My books are staying slow, thank you very much.
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What's your take on speedreading? Let us know in the comments.
image: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Cierpki and Spritz
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