How slow reading can change your brain

DamiLee

9 Apr 202211:18

Summary

TLDRThis video script delves into the impact of information overload on our brains, culture, and learning environments. The speaker explores the evolution of reading habits from silent reading's origins to modern speed reading techniques. It discusses how architectural spaces, like libraries, have adapted to new reading trends, questioning if these changes support deep reading and knowledge absorption. The script also contemplates the implications of architectural shifts on our societal values and our relationship with information.

Takeaways

🌐 The script discusses the impact of information overload and speed reading on our brains, culture, and learning environments.
📚 The speaker's architectural thesis explores the effects of information saturation and the adaptation of reading habits in the digital age.
🕵️‍♂️ The speaker personally experiments with speed reading for 30 days to understand its impact on comprehension and personal time management.
📖 Silent reading, as opposed to reading aloud, was a significant cultural shift that began with Bishop Ambrose in the 5th century.
📝 The invention of punctuation in the 12th century facilitated the transition to silent reading, allowing for more private and personal engagement with texts.
🧠 Reading is a complex cognitive process that involves multiple stages, including visual recognition and emotional or intuitive interpretation.
🏫 Architectural spaces, such as libraries, have historically adapted to changing reading trends and are currently shifting towards communal and technological hubs.
🤔 The script questions whether modern library designs, like the Seattle Central Library, provide spaces conducive to deep reading and contemplation.
🏛 The speaker contrasts the modern library design with historical examples, such as Alvar Aalto's Vpuri Library, which prioritized minimal distraction for focused reading.
📈 The 'slow' movement, including slow reading, emphasizes quality of experience over speed, suggesting a potential backlash against the fast-paced culture.
🏛️ Architecture reflects and shapes culture, with changes in building design indicating shifts in societal values and the way we interact with information.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?
-The main topic of the video script is the impact of speed and information overload on our brains, culture, and the architecture that supports learning.
What is the creator of the video script trying to turn into a video series?
-The creator is trying to turn their architectural thesis into a video series.
What is the significance of the first and last word of a sentence in speed reading?
-In speed reading, the first and last word of a sentence are important as they can provide a gist of what the paragraph is saying, allowing the reader to grasp the main idea quickly.
What is the first record of silent reading mentioned in the script?
-The first record of silent reading is found in the 5th-century document 'Augustine's Confessions'.
Why was silent reading a foreign concept during the Dark Ages?
-Silent reading was a foreign concept during the Dark Ages because texts were written in scriptura continua, making it almost impossible for people to read without sounding out the syllables, and reading was primarily a communal activity.
How did the invention of punctuation impact reading habits?
-The invention of punctuation led to more people reading silently in private for pleasure or to feed their personal curiosities, which in turn led to cultural changes.
What does Alberto Mangual describe as the first time he experienced reading?
-Alberto Mangual describes the first time he experienced reading as acquiring an entirely new sense, where certain things could be deciphered by his whole body, not just his senses.
What are the two stages most studies agree that reading entails?
-Most studies agree that reading entails two stages: seeing the word and considering it by reconstructing the code of signs through a chain of connections in the brain, and then deciphering the text with various personal attributes.
What is the core idea behind the slow movement as mentioned in the script?
-The core idea behind the slow movement is not about doing things as slowly as possible, but about regaining the quality of the experience that is often lost in the process of speeding up.
How is the new culture of speed and reading methods being made permanent in architecture?
-The new culture of speed and reading methods is being made permanent in architecture through renovations and new designs of spaces like libraries, which are adapting to suit this new method of reading, often at the expense of traditional book storage and quiet reading spaces.
What is the creator's concern about the new architectural trends in libraries?
-The creator is concerned that new architectural trends in libraries, which focus on being community hubs and innovation spaces, may not provide the kind of space for deep focus and getting lost in a book, questioning if this is still a relevant idea or just a relic of the past.
What does the creator believe architecture reflects and why is it important to examine changes in it?
-The creator believes that architecture reflects our culture and is one of the most permanent ways to solidify changes in our values. Examining changes in architecture is important because it can reveal what those changes mean for our society.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Impact of Speed Reading on Learning and Architecture

The speaker introduces the theme of how the rapid pace of information consumption affects our brains, culture, and the design of learning spaces. They discuss their architectural thesis, which they aim to turn into a video series, and share their curiosity about the efficiency of slow reading versus speed reading. The historical context of silent reading is explored, highlighting St. Augustine's observations of Bishop Ambrose's reading habits in the 5th century. The evolution of reading from a communal activity to a private pursuit, influenced by the invention of punctuation in the 12th century, is also discussed. The speaker ponders the personal and cultural implications of these changes, suggesting that silent reading allowed for an unregulated relationship with the text, fostering individual thought and curiosity.

05:01

🏛 The Transformation of Libraries and Reading Spaces

This paragraph delves into the personal significance of spaces and how they shape our experiences, using the speaker's high school memories as an example. It transitions into a discussion on the complexity of reading and experiencing spaces, advocating for the slow movement in various aspects of life, including reading. The slow movement is presented as a means to enhance the quality of experience and comprehension, rather than merely slowing down activities. The speaker expresses concern about the new culture of speed being embedded in architectural designs, particularly in libraries, which are adapting to accommodate faster reading habits and digital work. The contrast between modern libraries, like the Seattle Central Library designed by OMA, and older ones, such as Alvar Aalto's Vpuri Library, is highlighted to illustrate the shift from private, distraction-free reading spaces to communal, multifunctional areas. The implications of these architectural changes on our relationship with information and knowledge are questioned.

10:02

🎬 The Journey of Creating a Video Series on Reading and Architecture

The speaker discusses the challenges and costs associated with producing high-quality video content on their architectural thesis and the exploration of reading habits and spaces. They request support by encouraging viewers to share the video and create buzz around the project, mentioning the creation of a Patreon page for funding. The speaker reflects on the privilege of having a platform to discuss their passions and expresses excitement for the potential of video as a medium. They invite viewers to watch the entire series, which includes this video, and thank them for their engagement, promising more content in future videos.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Speed Saturated

The term 'speed saturated' refers to a society that is overwhelmed by the rapid pace of information and technology. In the context of the video, it highlights how the modern world is filled with an abundance of information that people are trying to consume quickly. The video script discusses the impact of this on the brain, culture, and learning environments, suggesting that the speed at which we process information may affect our depth of understanding and engagement.

💡Architectural Thesis

An 'architectural thesis' is a comprehensive project or research work that students in architecture undertake to demonstrate their understanding of architectural concepts and design skills. In the video, the creator explores the impact of information speed on learning spaces and reading habits through their thesis, which they are now translating into a video series to share their findings and insights with a wider audience.

💡Speed Reading

Speed reading is a set of techniques used to quickly consume written material by reading groups of words or sentences at a time, rather than word by word. The script mentions speed reading as a method to adapt to the information explosion, where the creator questions the effectiveness of slow reading versus speed reading in the context of impactful books and busy lifestyles.

💡Silent Reading

Silent reading is the practice of reading text without vocalizing the words, which was a significant cultural shift from the earlier practice of reading aloud. The video script references the historical account of St. Augustine's observation of Bishop Ambrose's silent reading habits, indicating a transition in how reading was perceived and practiced, from a communal to a more private and personal activity.

💡Scriptura Continua

Scriptura continua is a writing system without spaces or punctuation, making it difficult to read silently. The script discusses how this system contributed to the practice of reading aloud during the Dark Ages. The invention of punctuation and the shift to silent reading allowed for more individualized thought and the emergence of personal curiosity, leading to significant cultural changes.

💡Punctuation

Punctuation refers to the use of symbols and spaces to organize and clarify written language. In the video, the introduction of punctuation is highlighted as a key factor that facilitated the transition to silent reading, making it easier for individuals to read privately and understand text without the need to vocalize it.

💡Cultural Changes

Cultural changes refer to shifts in societal norms, behaviors, and practices over time. The video script connects the shift from communal, aloud reading to silent, private reading with broader cultural changes, such as the rise of individualism and the pursuit of personal knowledge and pleasure through reading.

💡Slow Movement

The 'slow movement' is a cultural shift that encourages taking time to enjoy and engage deeply with experiences, rather than rushing through them. The video discusses this in relation to reading, suggesting that slow reading can enhance pleasure, comprehension, and transformation. The slow movement is contrasted with the current speed culture, emphasizing the value of quality over speed.

💡Architecture and Culture

The relationship between 'architecture and culture' is explored in the video, suggesting that architecture both reflects and shapes cultural values and behaviors. The script discusses how libraries, as architectural spaces, have evolved to accommodate new reading trends, from private reading spaces to communal hubs, indicating a shift in how society values and engages with information.

💡Libraries

Libraries are institutions that provide access to books and other media for reading, research, and education. In the context of the video, libraries are highlighted as spaces that have historically adapted to reading trends. The script contrasts traditional libraries, designed for focused reading, with modern libraries that serve as community hubs, raising questions about the impact of these architectural changes on the reading experience.

💡Information Overload

Information overload refers to the difficulty in understanding or making decisions due to an excessive amount of information. The video script touches on this concept, discussing the challenges of absorbing and processing the vast amount of information available in today's world and how it affects our brains and our ability to learn and focus.

Highlights

The impact of information saturation on our brains, culture, and learning architecture is explored.

Adaptation of reading habits to consume information quickly is discussed.

Speed reading techniques, such as focusing on the first and last words of sentences, are introduced.

A 30-day speed reading experiment is proposed to understand its effects.

The origins of silent reading are traced back to the 5th century with Augustine's 'Confessions'.

Scriptura continua and its role in the necessity of aloud reading during the Dark Ages are explained.

The significance of punctuation in the evolution of silent reading and individual thought is highlighted.

Alberto Mangual's perspective on the transformative experience of reading is shared.

Reading is described as a two-stage process involving seeing words and considering their meaning.

The importance of personal experiences in the context of reading and space is emphasized.

The Slow Movement and its principles of quality over speed are introduced.

The architectural changes in libraries to accommodate new reading trends are discussed.

OMA's Seattle Central Library as an example of a community hub with various functions is presented.

The difficulty of finding spaces for focused reading in modern libraries is noted.

Alvara Alto's VPuri Library as a contrast to modern libraries, focusing on eliminating distractions, is mentioned.

The question of whether the space for deep reading is relevant in today's society is raised.

The influence of architecture on our culture and values, and the need to examine these changes, is emphasized.

A call to action for support in creating high-quality video content on the topic is made.

An invitation to explore the video series and Patreon page for further engagement is extended.