Amazing Discovery: How to read books!
Friday, July 1st, 2011Yesterday, June 29th 2011 to be exact, I made a new discovery that has completely changed my life, yes, changed my life. In one day I finished reading two books. Yes, finished reading two books in one day.
Some of you will be arching your eyebrows, or if you have only one eyebrow, just humping it, and musing, “My god, how did Simon Drake finish reading two books in one day.”
What’s more, in just wasn’t one day, it was a period of 4 hours. Yes, 4 hours.
So, here’s how it works:
I’d bought a copy of Remix by Lawrence Lessig a few years ago. Don’t ask when, I can’t remember. And I’d been reading bits here and there, forgetting about it, moving countries (UK to Germany), and finally, forgotten about it.
Fast forward to two weeks ago, I picked up my wife’s edition of Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, and started reading that. I finished both books in the space of 4 hours.
Now I know you’re waiting for the secret, and some of you will be thinking, “Oh my God! He’s found a new exciting way of speed reading that also helps you lose weight, drink beer without getting fat, and reverse the ageing process!” but no, it’s quite simple.
I am currently in the process of moving from Germany to Australia. Many of my little family’s belongings have been packed up and shipped away, including the television. Now many of you can’t imagine a world without television, well suckers it is very possible. For most of the world, up until the 1950s and 60s, it was reality. And as of lately, without any television, I’ve noticed that I can read a lot, without even making a conscience effort of it. Oh my god, I hear you say. Yes, Oh my god.
But what happens when I am re-united with my television on the other side of the world. Yes, what really happens when the large flat screen is bolted into the wall and I’m sprawled on a sofa. Who will win that battle for my attention? Crap TV or classic books? Interesting documentary or crappy but addictive airport novel? And you know what, I think you know the answer. Yes, you know the answer.
However, what if my TV never ever arrives? What if the container ship it is on is hijacked by Somali pirate and my TV (and 28 other cartons of my life’s assorted junk (including many great books)) ends up in the mud hut of some needy family living on the exploits of Somalia pirates. Well, if they can get electricity, and they can tune into something, then let their brains be dumbed down. Not my problem. Yes, not my problem — but it is your problem.
Stay tuned!
