Being a blogger is a noble mission (being a paid blogger is also a beautiful mission, but that’s another story altogether). Nevertheless, if you want to have a successful blog, you should treat it like you get paid to write. Act like a professional.
Every professional needs to have an instrument, and your instrument as a blogger is information. I tend to think that the most decent equivalent of information is a book. In all types of its earthly embodiments – screens or paper. It’s up to you.
Neuroscientists have always been interested in reading process. What’s really happening inside your brain case when letters turn into words, words into sentences, and sentences into the second volume of The Twilight Saga?
Up until today, scientists have only monitored participants’ neural activity during reading of just individual words. It doesn’t provide a clear picture because our reading speed is several words per second.
The researchers have come up with a solution. They combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with eye tracking. The study results showed that words are represented in the brain not as abstract symbols but as visual images of the real world. For example, when the participants read about Harry Potter’s first flying lesson, the brain lights up in the same regions as it would if they saw other people’s motion.
The researchers plan to use these findings for diagnosing and treating memory problems, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, side effects of a stroke and brain injury.
This study closely resonates with the latest research of speed reading that shows that it is not a super power of the 21st century, but a loss of a large amount of information during reading. Even if you have a toned brain, you have no time to process all the visual information when you significantly increase your reading rate.
So, if you read a new book, maybe it’s time to slow down and savor it?
#readHardPartyHard #wonderReader
Very well said!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed!
LikeLike
Yes! Join the Slow Book Movement!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good idea! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great point – I’ve never been a fast reader, so I guess I’ll fit into the movement. Someone once told me he only read the dialogue in books – because the rest wasn’t necessary to the plot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
hm interesting point about dialogues. I’ve never thought about books like that. Probably the person was in a constant hurry 🙂 I just wonder how many books I would read per week if I only read dialogues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a unique approach, but I wouldn’t recommend it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting read Marta; lots of information about how we process information… Informative! It’s weird with me. Every time I go to read a book, I fall asleep. It’s too relaxing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! Well it depends on the book and whether or not it resonates with me 😉
LikeLike
Enjoyed the discussion about what scientists have done and observed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks!
LikeLike
Great information since I am a slow reader! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad to know it resonates with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. I always wondered how speed readers do it. Now I know. They don’t.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The thing is nothing wrong with fast reading. Just not too fast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found this really interesting because of two things. 1) i was always admired those who could speed read because they could take in so much info and read sooo much efficiently, and 2) i came across actual scientific articles supporting your arguments. The brain has a slow and fast processor and it said if you wanted to (essentially get smarter) then read slower and truly imagine and understand the content. Sorry for the babbling but i really liked this post!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Completely agree! 💃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the message. I’ve always been a fan of slow and immersive reading. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too 👏
LikeLike
Very good!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! 💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big fan of slow reading here as well. A good book is like a delicious glass of wine or whiskey…you want to savor it! (Okay, sometimes you may want to down it really fast.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
haha good analogy! Or maybe a cup of amazing coffee? 💃 As an avid coffee drinker and perpetual morning person it’s the only thing that comes to my mind 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
dig your vibe and flow. peace
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. I try to savour the books I read but if I am really enjoying the book, I naturally seem to speed up! Great blog too. New follower here 🙌😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad you like what I write here. That’s a great example of how books help meet like-minded people 🌍💻🌏
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting info! And good writing. I have been having some dialogue with friends about whether or not it’s cheating to LISTEN to books. I am experimenting with Audible for the first time just to make note of the differences in how I take in information via reading versus listening. It’s for sure a completely different experience. Noodling around on a blog post on this topic. Glad to have found your site. Yay!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you a lot for the feedback! It’s very nice to hear you enjoyed the post and my blog as a whole 💃To be honest I love written words too much to listen to audiobooks 🎼🎧
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! I love words. Physical beautiful words. I even have a hard time reading books on my iPad because I love the SMELL of words on the page. Library books are the best because I am always wondering who read it just before me. There is kind of an aura in used or borrowed books, a sense of camaraderie. Plus I am finding my mind wanders too much when I am just listening. But maybe that is a skill I need to hone in on. Especially since I am in sales for a living. Ha! Thanks for following my blog. Look forward to connecting with you in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said🙌 👏 I absolutely agree! Look forward to your next posts and comments too.
LikeLike
And I thought I was one of only a few that likes to dwell on the little details. Books, films, gaming; I cannot help put pause and think to myself about the most insignificant details (though significant to me) before continuing. I enjoyed this article.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can totally relate! Sometimes I reread the same sentence again and again just to look how beautifully it’s written one more time. The same is true about films.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just returning from Shakespeare’s cloud—he’s quite amused 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed! 🙌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Write and Create (from Creative Writing Course).
LikeLike
Totally agree with the top section – writing a blog is unpaid but write like a pro anyway.
As for speed reading, I am not surpised theres a huge data loss, the mind doesnt have time to absorb it all. I have always been quite a slow reader, enjoying the text.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do agree that whatever you do, do it like a pro💪 That’s the best way to go. Haha yes, I even read slowly my comment section to enjoy every single comment 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like this information especially since I’m a speech therapist and I believe I have a touch of dyslexia!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you liked the post and found it useful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful. I never think of it but, you points are remarkable. I love it. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome! : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Marta! You have rescued my self-esteem. I was dragging it behind me like an alligator’s tail. Now, several body parts have perked up. I always have strong visuals when I read and I don’t drink and read because of the dangers of double vision. I don’t mind reading a book twice but not all at once. Yes, I am a slow reader. I amble through the story, get lost in it, yell at the characters or offer them advice. They don’t listen but I still try. If I speed through it, when I put the book down, I still don’t know what the story is about. Now I know, all this time I was doing it right. Thank you, Marta for this insightful post. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Daniel! I’m so glad my post echoed in your mind and heart!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it made my head elves sing 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Marta 🙂 I like the way you write 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!☀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great to see that science is now understanding what is going on in our brain when we are reading, in the hope of helping brain injuries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a cool post, I’ve never thought about that before! Does it apply to audiobooks as well?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that it can also be applied to audiobooks. I’m not a super big fan of audiobooks, to be honest 🙂 How about you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve learned to appreciate audiobooks simply for the fact they can get me reading and exercising! I used to walk 30 minutes to and from class and would listen to audiobooks. I’d finish about a book a week!:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right, time flies if you have a good book. I love listening to different podcasts while in the gym. Cardio sessions become much more pleasant and, most importantly, more manageable 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a great way to multitask! Exercising your body and your mind 🙂 I personally love TED talks!
LikeLike