Books and the Internet
John O. Andersen
I'm beginning to revise my thinking on reading books. One year a few years
back I set a personal record by reading 122 books. That was a lot of fun,
but after awhile, the tallying took on a life of its own, overshadowing
perhaps some of the other more important reasons for reading such as mind
broadening or relaxation.
Yes, I'm still a book lover. I go to the library at least twice a week.
Non-fiction is my preference by far. I pick out all sorts of books which
interest me: travel, hiking, history, poetry, social issues, books on
photography, etc.
These days, however, I rarely read a book from cover to cover. I simply
read the bits which interest me. This is because my time for reading is
limited, and once I've gleaned what I want to from one book, I'm usually
anxious to move on to the next. Practically the only books I read cover to
cover are the ones I read to my children at night before they go to bed.
It's more and more apparent to me that while books are still excellent
sources of information, the Internet is quickly becoming a worthy rival.
The Internet enables easy access to a mind-boggling array of news and
information sources.
Personally, I get my news from several respected American sites as well as
a few foreign websites. Often when a story hits which piques my curiosity,
I go directly to the news website of the city where the event is happening.
It's great fun to get foreign perspectives on news happening in the United
States. I love the availability of demographic and geographic information
as well. My growing network of Internet friends/acquaintances is also
invaluable in that we send each other links, articles and other discoveries
we find interesting.
In the long run, electronic information sources will diminish the relative
importance of printed books, but won't eliminate them entirely. I'm just
happy to live in an age when the number of easily accesssible information
sources has exploded. Surely there has never been a better time in the
history of the world to undertake the task of self-education.
John
http://members.xoom.com/joandersen
Usually it's easier to be a "success" than to be a human.
back I set a personal record by reading 122 books. That was a lot of fun,
but after awhile, the tallying took on a life of its own, overshadowing
perhaps some of the other more important reasons for reading such as mind
broadening or relaxation.
Yes, I'm still a book lover. I go to the library at least twice a week.
Non-fiction is my preference by far. I pick out all sorts of books which
interest me: travel, hiking, history, poetry, social issues, books on
photography, etc.
These days, however, I rarely read a book from cover to cover. I simply
read the bits which interest me. This is because my time for reading is
limited, and once I've gleaned what I want to from one book, I'm usually
anxious to move on to the next. Practically the only books I read cover to
cover are the ones I read to my children at night before they go to bed.
It's more and more apparent to me that while books are still excellent
sources of information, the Internet is quickly becoming a worthy rival.
The Internet enables easy access to a mind-boggling array of news and
information sources.
Personally, I get my news from several respected American sites as well as
a few foreign websites. Often when a story hits which piques my curiosity,
I go directly to the news website of the city where the event is happening.
It's great fun to get foreign perspectives on news happening in the United
States. I love the availability of demographic and geographic information
as well. My growing network of Internet friends/acquaintances is also
invaluable in that we send each other links, articles and other discoveries
we find interesting.
In the long run, electronic information sources will diminish the relative
importance of printed books, but won't eliminate them entirely. I'm just
happy to live in an age when the number of easily accesssible information
sources has exploded. Surely there has never been a better time in the
history of the world to undertake the task of self-education.
John
http://members.xoom.com/joandersen
Usually it's easier to be a "success" than to be a human.
Olivia
I have been thinking a lot lately about the role the internet plays in our
lives these days. As I sit here researching something for my son, I think how
wonderful it is to have all this information available at my fingertips. On the
other hand, I hope we don't lose the experience of reading a book cover to
cover, an experience that I have always enjoyed and hope my son will also
always relish. Reading a full length book or story is something you can't
really do online. What is online consists mostly of short pieces of
information, much like TV reports. This is the same reason my husband likes
magazines like Popular Science: mostly short articles that are quickly
dispatched and he moves on to the next topic. Do you think our experiences with
the types of information (lots of short pieces) from TV and the internet have
affected the way we read printed materials? Has it affected our concentration
for longer pieces of information? It is a shame that reading something
cover-to-cover is a luxury these days because of time constraints. Although I
admit I too find myself spending more of my free night time researching things
online rather than reading because that "mind-boggling array" of information is
luring me to the keyboard!
Olivia
Who's now off to read those borrowed books
At 07:05 PM 11/11/1999 -0800, you wrote:
lives these days. As I sit here researching something for my son, I think how
wonderful it is to have all this information available at my fingertips. On the
other hand, I hope we don't lose the experience of reading a book cover to
cover, an experience that I have always enjoyed and hope my son will also
always relish. Reading a full length book or story is something you can't
really do online. What is online consists mostly of short pieces of
information, much like TV reports. This is the same reason my husband likes
magazines like Popular Science: mostly short articles that are quickly
dispatched and he moves on to the next topic. Do you think our experiences with
the types of information (lots of short pieces) from TV and the internet have
affected the way we read printed materials? Has it affected our concentration
for longer pieces of information? It is a shame that reading something
cover-to-cover is a luxury these days because of time constraints. Although I
admit I too find myself spending more of my free night time researching things
online rather than reading because that "mind-boggling array" of information is
luring me to the keyboard!
Olivia
Who's now off to read those borrowed books
At 07:05 PM 11/11/1999 -0800, you wrote:
>
> <These days, however, I rarely read a book from cover to cover. I simply
> read the bits which interest me. This is because my time for reading is
> limited, and once I've gleaned what I want to from one book, I'm usually
> anxious to move on to the next. Practically the only books I read cover to
> cover are the ones I read to my children at night before they go to bed.
>
> It's more and more apparent to me that while books are still excellent
> sources of information, the Internet is quickly becoming a worthy rival.
> The Internet enables easy access to a mind-boggling array of news and
> information sources.
>
>
> In the long run, electronic information sources will diminish the relative
> importance of printed books, but won't eliminate them entirely. I'm just
> happy to live in an age when the number of easily accesssible information
> sources has exploded. Surely there has never been a better time in the
> history of the world to undertake the task of self-education.>
>
> John
John O. Andersen
Olivia,
John Andersen
>>I have been thinking a lot lately about the role the internet plays in our lives these days. As I sit here researching something for my son, I think how wonderful it is to have all this information available at my fingertips. On the other hand, I hope we don't lose the experience of reading a book cover to cover, an experience that I have always enjoyed and hope my son will also always relish.<<Yes, it is a great experience and I agree, but I have to think about the point of reading in the first place and the fact that today there are just so many more sources of information. There's really no reason to limit ourselves to printed books. We live in a different age and should take full advantage of what's now available.
>>Has it affected our concentration for longer pieces of information?<<Yes, but attention span is a side issue. If we can get quality information more efficiently, why not make full use of those sources? People who are active learners anyway don't need to worry too much about their attention span.
>> It is a shame that reading something cover-to-cover is a luxury these days because of time constraints.<<Well, yes and no. I have many ways I fill my ample leisure time. Reading is just one of the educational activities. There are museums, walks, and other outdoor things which can be just as stimulating as a good book. Once again, I believe our choices are more numerous and this is one of the reasons why reading full length books is diminishing in importance.
John Andersen
Olivia
At 02:19 AM 11/12/1999 -0800, you wrote:
information, or that my son should sit inside every day and do nothing but
read. I was mostly thinking of books as another type of art form or
entertainment, rather than as sources of information alone. Books for fun
rather than books solely for learning. True, "educational" activities abound,
and we should make full use of all our resources. But I still enjoy the printed
form of storytelling for one part of my recreation. I guess I liked reading and
dreaming too much as a kid!
Olivia
>I am certainly not suggesting that we limit ourselves to books alone for
>>
>> I have to think about the point of reading in the first place and the fact
>> that today there are just so many more sources of information. There's
>> really no reason to limit ourselves to printed books. We live in a
>> different age and should take full advantage of what's now available.
>>
>> attention span is a side issue. If we can get quality information more
>> efficiently, why not make full use of those sources? People who are active
>> learners anyway don't need to worry too much about their attention span.
>>
>> I have many ways I fill my ample leisure time. Reading is just one of the
>> educational activities. There are museums, walks, and other outdoor things
>> which can be just as stimulating as a good book. Once again, I believe our
>> choices are more numerous and this is one of the reasons why reading full
>> length books is diminishing in importance.
>
information, or that my son should sit inside every day and do nothing but
read. I was mostly thinking of books as another type of art form or
entertainment, rather than as sources of information alone. Books for fun
rather than books solely for learning. True, "educational" activities abound,
and we should make full use of all our resources. But I still enjoy the printed
form of storytelling for one part of my recreation. I guess I liked reading and
dreaming too much as a kid!
Olivia
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/12/99 12:38:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,
liv2learn@... writes:
<< I have been thinking a lot lately about the role the internet plays in our
lives these days. >>
I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I am
beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this way?
If so hoe do you handle it?
Laura
liv2learn@... writes:
<< I have been thinking a lot lately about the role the internet plays in our
lives these days. >>
I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I am
beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this way?
If so hoe do you handle it?
Laura
Lisa Bugg
> I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I amway?
> beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
> seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this
> If so hoe do you handle it?Oh yes Laura, There is a definate cycle to internet addictions. :) I
>
have handled it in many ways over the years. At times I have limited myself
to just a morning time, or just an evening session. Other times I have used
it throughout the day, but made sure I spent time doing other things. My
time is also seasonal. In winter, most especially during snowed in times we
use the computer more than we do in spring or summer.
I once turned off the computer and told myself I wouldn't turn it back on
until I really, really wanted to. It stayed off 7 days. It was a good 7
days. :) These days I make sure there is one 24 hour period during a week
where I stay offline. NHEN has sort of ruined that plan, but I will return
to it soon.
It is something you learn to juggle.
Lisa
>
> > Check it out!
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
Pam Hartley
----------
through stages of being way overboard with being on line. It's such an
incredible place, I find it amazing some people are able to regulate
themselves at the beginning.
Basically, you can strike a balance. Think about what is most important to
you, what you would most like to spend your time on. Being a homeschooler,
that's probably #1 your kids. :) Think about what times of day are
*reasonable* for you not to be with them, doing things with them, and you
may have found your internet time (during their naps, or while they are at
Boy Scouts, or when your husband takes them out bike riding, or when they go
to bed).
Finally, if you feel that at this time in your life and their lives you
really *can't* handle it, do sign off completely. I was basically offline
for the first year of my second daughter's life. She defined "high need
baby" <g> and I never mastered the fine art of nursing at the keyboard. So,
I turned off the computer and put my attention where it was really needed.
And you know what? When I had some time again I turned the computer back on
and I hadn't missed much. :) The Internet will be here next week, next
month, next year.
Good luck,
Pam
>From: [email protected]I've been online since the summer of 1994 and I have *definitely* gone
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Digest Number 294
>Date: Fri, Nov 12, 1999, 9:54 PM
>
> I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I am
>beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
>seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this way?
>If so hoe do you handle it?
through stages of being way overboard with being on line. It's such an
incredible place, I find it amazing some people are able to regulate
themselves at the beginning.
Basically, you can strike a balance. Think about what is most important to
you, what you would most like to spend your time on. Being a homeschooler,
that's probably #1 your kids. :) Think about what times of day are
*reasonable* for you not to be with them, doing things with them, and you
may have found your internet time (during their naps, or while they are at
Boy Scouts, or when your husband takes them out bike riding, or when they go
to bed).
Finally, if you feel that at this time in your life and their lives you
really *can't* handle it, do sign off completely. I was basically offline
for the first year of my second daughter's life. She defined "high need
baby" <g> and I never mastered the fine art of nursing at the keyboard. So,
I turned off the computer and put my attention where it was really needed.
And you know what? When I had some time again I turned the computer back on
and I hadn't missed much. :) The Internet will be here next week, next
month, next year.
Good luck,
Pam
Olivia
At 12:08 AM 11/13/1999 -0500, you wrote:
complained that my husband spent too much time online. Then my son went to
kindergarten and I found myself at loose ends. I started using the computer
more during the day; it was great for researching homeschooling and for
connecting to people in general.
Then, after the initial internet oversaturation period, I started dropping
online activities and usage until, during the spring of this year, I lost
interest. It didn't satisfy my needs like it did at first. Plus, once we
decided to homeschool, we were spending more time doing things because my son
was now at home. So I guess you do go through stages, as with any new project.
You can reach a compromise. I still use the email because it is so fast, I can
respond to people at my leisure (late at night), and I can leave longer
messages than I can on an answering machine. (That's why I like these email
lists!) And I still use the computer for information research. But I make sure
I turn it off too.
Olivia
>Up until late last year I almost never used the computer. I never used email. I
> I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I am
> beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
> seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this way?
> If so hoe do you handle it?
>
> Laura
complained that my husband spent too much time online. Then my son went to
kindergarten and I found myself at loose ends. I started using the computer
more during the day; it was great for researching homeschooling and for
connecting to people in general.
Then, after the initial internet oversaturation period, I started dropping
online activities and usage until, during the spring of this year, I lost
interest. It didn't satisfy my needs like it did at first. Plus, once we
decided to homeschool, we were spending more time doing things because my son
was now at home. So I guess you do go through stages, as with any new project.
You can reach a compromise. I still use the email because it is so fast, I can
respond to people at my leisure (late at night), and I can leave longer
messages than I can on an answering machine. (That's why I like these email
lists!) And I still use the computer for information research. But I make sure
I turn it off too.
Olivia
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/13/99 10:32:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,
pamhartley@... writes:
<< And you know what? When I had some time again I turned the computer back on
and I hadn't missed much. :) The Internet will be here next week, next
month, next year.
and do enjoy it but my kids are first. Time will tell.
Laura
pamhartley@... writes:
<< And you know what? When I had some time again I turned the computer back on
and I hadn't missed much. :) The Internet will be here next week, next
month, next year.
>>Thankyou Pam, You made a lot of sense. I am trying to find a place for it
and do enjoy it but my kids are first. Time will tell.
Laura
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
>> It is a shame that reading something cover-to-cover is a luxury thesedays because of time constraints.<<
>Well, yes and no. I have many ways I fill my ample leisure time. Readingis just one >of the educational activities. There are museums, walks, and
other outdoor things >which can be just as stimulating as a good book.
Once again, I believe our choices are >more numerous and this is one of the
reasons why reading full length books is >diminishing in importance.
>John AndersenI would agree with that. I am getting so much information these days on
the areas that I am actively studying from participating in lists I am on,
reading information on websites, and having conversations with other
(online and off.) I would hate to think that this information was any less
important or worthy than info I got from a book. Some books are, to say
the least, really lame and a waste of time, whereas if you feel you are not
getting what you need from the internet, you can turn it off and you don't
have to wait until you get to the "end" to determine it's value.
With my schedule the way it is, I have a very limited amount of time in
which to read books, but I also have essential reasons to need to gather
information right now. We are adopting a child and are required to do
educational reading and classes on special needs children. But I also get
a great deal of wonderful information from internet sources. I am also
taking classes (in the real world) focusing on theology and spiritualism
for my own personal growth and find more info and a place to discuss
classes and ideas with others on the internet. That is an opportunity I
really cherise, because I do not get out much when I spend all my days
caring for two babies.
I am also discovering medical information for my "special needs" eldest
child who has severe allergies and sensativites, and I am able to educate
myself about his conditions and how various approaches may affect him, or
how I can make sure he gets a nutritionally complete diet while avoiding
his allergens. Not to mention the medical information that I find for
myself.
Then there is the fact that, with 2 toddlers in diapers at home, a part
time job on the weekends, an adoption ongoing with all the work it entails,
and a house that is in the process of being remodeled, I have no time to
shop for the holidays. I also have a three year old's birthday to plan
(12-22) and my DH's birthday (12-16) to shop and plan for. So I shop
online! And I just bought the greatest slightly used London Fog full lenth
winter coat for DH and a big toy castle for the almost three year old. It
is next to impossiible for me to get out and shop without the boys, and
forget about DH not knowing what I am up to if I have to arrange special
time to go out and shop by myself. Plus the fact that I HATE shopping in
general, crowds, malls, sales people, etc. ICK!
So there is so much information and so many opportunities on the internet
that make my life easier and more enriched.
Nanci K.
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/12/99 11:08:59 PM, Bonknit@... writes:
<< I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I am
beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this way?
If so hoe do you handle it? >>
laura,
when i first signed on this list in sept i couldnt believe the amount of mail
and time it included. (for those of you who are on several, you are
laughing, right?) i personally dont do the internet part but about once
every 4-6wks (i save up links to check out, etc.) i use the automatic mail
retreival to get the mail daily without more than a push of a button
(timesaver) and then usually take most of the wknd off just bc i am ready to
shift gears a bit. i think when it is new the novelty is too much fun, but i
too initially felt it was a bit much. i decided however that i do find it
beneficial to me overall, so i didnt want to give it up. most days the mail
gets at least scanned, and many days i dont open the long list of
"unschoolingdotcom" mail... and read it all at another time... one last
note. if you leave town, dont forget to unsub for your own sanity. i was
gone a wk (and apparently a very happenin' wk on this list!) and came back to
an overwhelming number of emails that i just had to take the time to
delete.....
erin
<< I have only recently started using E mail and the Internet and I am
beginning to feel that it takes up far more of my time than I'd like. I am
seriously considering signing off completely. Have any of you felt this way?
If so hoe do you handle it? >>
laura,
when i first signed on this list in sept i couldnt believe the amount of mail
and time it included. (for those of you who are on several, you are
laughing, right?) i personally dont do the internet part but about once
every 4-6wks (i save up links to check out, etc.) i use the automatic mail
retreival to get the mail daily without more than a push of a button
(timesaver) and then usually take most of the wknd off just bc i am ready to
shift gears a bit. i think when it is new the novelty is too much fun, but i
too initially felt it was a bit much. i decided however that i do find it
beneficial to me overall, so i didnt want to give it up. most days the mail
gets at least scanned, and many days i dont open the long list of
"unschoolingdotcom" mail... and read it all at another time... one last
note. if you leave town, dont forget to unsub for your own sanity. i was
gone a wk (and apparently a very happenin' wk on this list!) and came back to
an overwhelming number of emails that i just had to take the time to
delete.....
erin
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/13/99 9:32:43 AM, pamhartley@... writes:
<< you know what? When I had some time again I turned the computer back on
and I hadn't missed much. :) The Internet will be here next week, next
month, next year. >>
excellent point pam!
erin
<< you know what? When I had some time again I turned the computer back on
and I hadn't missed much. :) The Internet will be here next week, next
month, next year. >>
excellent point pam!
erin
Joseph A. & Susan D. Fuerst
I prefer books because you can crawl into bed with them. Plus, reading off
the screen is uncomfortable to me for more than a short period. I can read
a book for hours.
-----Original Message-----
From: John O. Andersen <andersen@...>
To: Undisclosed-Recipient <Undisclosed-Recipient>
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 10:07 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Books and the Internet
the screen is uncomfortable to me for more than a short period. I can read
a book for hours.
-----Original Message-----
From: John O. Andersen <andersen@...>
To: Undisclosed-Recipient <Undisclosed-Recipient>
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 10:07 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Books and the Internet
>From: "John O. Andersen" <andersen@...>
>
>I'm beginning to revise my thinking on reading books. One year a few years
>back I set a personal record by reading 122 books. That was a lot of fun,
>but after awhile, the tallying took on a life of its own, overshadowing
>perhaps some of the other more important reasons for reading such as mind
>broadening or relaxation.
>
>Yes, I'm still a book lover. I go to the library at least twice a week.
>Non-fiction is my preference by far. I pick out all sorts of books which
>interest me: travel, hiking, history, poetry, social issues, books on
>photography, etc.
>
>These days, however, I rarely read a book from cover to cover. I simply
>read the bits which interest me. This is because my time for reading is
>limited, and once I've gleaned what I want to from one book, I'm usually
>anxious to move on to the next. Practically the only books I read cover to
>cover are the ones I read to my children at night before they go to bed.
>
>It's more and more apparent to me that while books are still excellent
>sources of information, the Internet is quickly becoming a worthy rival.
>The Internet enables easy access to a mind-boggling array of news and
>information sources.
>
>Personally, I get my news from several respected American sites as well as
>a few foreign websites. Often when a story hits which piques my curiosity,
>I go directly to the news website of the city where the event is happening.
>It's great fun to get foreign perspectives on news happening in the United
>States. I love the availability of demographic and geographic information
>as well. My growing network of Internet friends/acquaintances is also
>invaluable in that we send each other links, articles and other discoveries
>we find interesting.
>
>In the long run, electronic information sources will diminish the relative
>importance of printed books, but won't eliminate them entirely. I'm just
>happy to live in an age when the number of easily accesssible information
>sources has exploded. Surely there has never been a better time in the
>history of the world to undertake the task of self-education.
>
>John
>http://members.xoom.com/joandersen
>Usually it's easier to be a "success" than to be a human.
>
>>Check it out!
>http://www.unschooling.com
>