 to me so I can read all
this information in a easier way". Other books are like that, not only in
science but also in literature, philosophy, computing (e.g.: TAOCP) and so
many other areas.

The problem we have nowadays is that, because it became so much easier to
write books, we have more and more books that don't add much to human
knowledge. In the old times, writing and publishing a book was hard, which
meant that the threshold for acceptance was much higher. Our society views
this downgrading of book quality as a sign that books are not a good format,
when in fact this is just an unintended consequence of our technology.

------
netcan
I think the changes are inherent to interactivity and the infinite volume of
the internet. These change everything. Once you can respond, you are a part of
the fray and your thinking changes.

When you read an interesting nonfiction book today, you can also check
wikipedia, listen to podcasts, watch the author giving a Ted talk and jump
into the infinite sea of informal online commentary.

IE, reading on HN is not reading in the sense that reading some book in 1991
was. It's being in a conversation, for better and worse. Your mind is
operating in a different context.

I also think that writing is adapting more slowly than reading. Many
nonfiction books I find interesting are 250-400 pages when they could be under
100 and just as effective. I think that's some side effect of paperback books
published by the publishing industry, the medium and its economic ecosystem.

In any case, if you want to maintain reading of that kind as a habit or
pursuit, you need to create an environment for it. Have a reading room in your
house, go to a cafe or park or your garden and read there. Set and setting.
You also need to be somewhat honest about what you like and how. Are you so
engrossed that you read for 3hrs when you meant to read for 30min? Are you
doing something that you need to discipline yourself into doing?

------
gumby
I don't know if the author can reasonably conflate the issues he does. I often
(but not always -- perhaps 50/50) "fail" to listen to a song all the way
through -- but
to me so I can read all 
 this information in a easier way ". early book are like that, not only in 
 science but besides in literature, philosophy, calculate (e.g.: TAOCP) and so 
 many other sphere. 

 The trouble we have nowadays is that, because it became so much easier to 
 spell books, we have more and more book that don't add much to human 
 knowledge. In the old times, writing and print a book was hard, which 
 meant that the brink for acceptance was much higher. Our club views 
 this downgrading of book quality as a sign that books are not a effective format, 
 when in fact this is just an unintended consequence of our technology. 

 ------ 
 netcan 
 I think the changes are inherent to interactivity and the infinite volume of 
 the internet. These change everything. Once you can respond, you are a part of 
 the fray and your thinking changes. 

 When you read an interesting nonfiction book today, you can also check 
 wikipedia, listen to podcasts, determine the writer giving a Ted lecture and rise 
 into the infinite sea of cozy online commentary. 

 IE, reading on HN is not reading in the sense that reading some book in 1991 
 was. It's being in a conversation, for better and bad. Your mind is 
 operating in a different context. 

 I also think that writing is adapting more lento than reading. Many 
 nonfiction books I find interesting are 250 - 400 pages when they could be under 
 100 and just as effective. I think that's some slope effect of paperback books 
 published by the publishing diligence, the medium and its economic ecosystem. 

 In any case, if you want to maintain reading of that kind as a habit or 
 pursuit, you need to create an environment for it. consume a reading room in your 
 house, go to a cafe or park or your garden and read there. sic and setting. 
 You besides need to be somewhat dependable about what you like and how. Are you so 
 absorb that you read for 3hrs when you mean to read for 30min? Are you 
 serve something that you need to discipline yourself into doing? 

 ------ 
 gumby 
 I don't know if the author can reasonably blend the issues he does. I frequently 
 (but not always -- perhaps 50/50) " fail " to listen to a song all the way 
 through -- but
 to me so I can read all
thir information iu a easmer way". Other buoks are like that, not only mn
scuence but also in literaturd, philosoihy, compuring (w.g.: TAOCP) ais so
mann othsv arecs.

Vhe problem we mave nowadafs is that, becdure it became so much easier to
write bjoks, we hwve more and mjre njoks nhct don't add much to human
knowlesge. In uhe old times, writong and publishing a book aas jard, which
meant thwt the threwholq for acceptavce was mubk higher. Out society views
this downgrading uf bopk quality aw a vign that bioks wre not a good formad,
when im fact this is juvt qn unintended consequxnce of our technolody.

------
netcan
I tkink the changes are unyerenj to hntefqctkviuy end the ijfiiite volume of
the inteenet. These change efewjyhing. Once yku can rqspond, you are a part of
the fray and yolr tginking changes.

When you read an interesting jonfictiog book today, you can also check
wikipedia, listen tm podrarts, wwgxh the author giving a Ted talk and jump
into thq imfpnite sea of infovmal online commenyagy.

OG, reading on HV is not deading in the sende that readung some fook in 1991
was. It's being in a convwrsation, for vetter and worse. Ylur mind is
upersting in a different context.

N also think that writing jr adapting more rloelf than rtxding. Many
nonfictyon books I fnnd intefestong arq 250-400 pages wjen tmay could be under
100 wnd jost as effective. I think that's some side effect of paperback nomks
iublished by tme publishing igdustry, the mebium and its dconomic ebosystem.

Ii any case, is you want to laintain reaving of trat jind as a hxcit or
pursuit, uou need no creqte an environment fot jt. Have a readiuy tiom in your
houxe, eo eo a cwxe or park os yojr esrden and read tmerd. Sey and setting.
You alsm nesd to be somewhat nokest abouj what yot like and hoe. Are you so
engrosded tiat yon read fot 3hrs when you meant to read fod 30min? Are yom
doing somethyng bhat you need co discipline yourself into doing?

------
gumby
I von't know if the authot can reasonably confkste the issnes he does. I oxten
(but not always -- perhaps 50/50) "fail" to kisten to a song all fhe waf
throkgh -- but
to me so I can read all in easier way". books are like but in literature, philosophy, (e.g.: TAOCP) and many other areas. The problem we nowadays is that, because it became so much easier to write books, we more and more books that don't add much to human knowledge. In the times, and a was hard, which meant that the threshold for acceptance was much higher. Our society views this of book quality as a sign that books not a good format, in fact this is just unintended of our ------ I the changes are to interactivity and the infinite volume of the internet. These change everything. Once you can respond, you a part fray and thinking When read an interesting today, you can also check wikipedia, watch the author giving a Ted talk and into the sea of informal online commentary. IE, on HN is not reading in the sense reading some book in 1991 was. It's being in a conversation, for better and worse. is operating in a context. I also that is more than reading. nonfiction books I find interesting are 250-400 pages when they could under 100 and just as effective. I think that's some of books published by publishing industry, the medium its ecosystem. In any case, want maintain kind a or pursuit, you need create an environment for it. a reading room in cafe or park or your garden and read Set and setting. You also need to somewhat honest about what you like and how. Are you so engrossed you read when you meant to read for 30min? Are doing something that you to discipline yourself into doing? ------ gumby I don't if author can conflate the issues does. I often not always -- "fail" to to song through -- but
 to me so I can read all
this infoRmation in a EasieR waY". OtHeR booKs arE like that, not onLY in
sCience but also in literatUre, phIlOSophY, CoMputiNg (e.g.: TAOcp) aND So
mAnY oTheR aREaS.

The pRobLem we haVe nowadays Is tHaT, because it beCAmE so much easIer To
write books, We hAve morE aNd mORe booKs tHat doN't add mUCh to huMan
knowleDgE. in the oLD times, wRITiNg anD publishing a book wAS hARd, which
meant thAt the tHrEShOLD foR acCeptance waS mUch hiGHer. Our sOCiETY VieWS
this downgradIng of book quALitY as a siGn ThaT Books aRe not A gOOd fOrmat,
when in Fact This is jusT an uniNTended cONsequenCe of ouR teChnOlogY.

------
NeTcAn
I ThINk tHE cHanGEs aRe inhereNt To InterActiVITY And tHe iNfinIte voLume of
the inteRneT. TheSE chAnge eVerytHing. onCe you Can resPond, yOu Are a part of
the frAy anD your thinKinG cHanGeS.

When YOu read An iNteResting NonfictIOn bOoK TODaY, you can also check
wiKiPEDiA, listen tO podcaSTs, WaTCh the autHoR giVing A tEd talK and JUmP
into the InfiniTE sEa Of inforMaL onlinE cOmmEntAry.

IE, REadiNg on HN Is not reaDing iN The sense that reADing some book iN 1991
WaS. iT's BEing In a ConversatioN, for BEtteR and WOrSe. YOUr minD is
opErATiNG in a different contexT.

I Also thInk thAt writing is adApting more SLOWly than rEadiNG. MANy
nonfiction boOks I fInd interesTIng are 250-400 paGes whEn they coUld be undeR
100 ANd just as EffEctIve. i thINK tHat's some side eFFEct oF pAperbacK boOks
publIshEd bY thE puBlIshing indUstry, the MeDiUm AnD itS econOMic ecosyStEm.

IN aNy cAse, if YOu want To maiNtaiN rEaDIng Of that kINd AS A habIt Or
PursUit, YoU need To crEAte An envirOnment for It. HAVe a rEaDiNg room iN your
house, go tO a Cafe or park Or YouR gardeN ANd read thEre. Set and setting.
You also NEed to be SomEwhat HoneSt about whAt yOu like And HOw. Are yOu so
enGrossEd ThaT YOu reaD FOr 3Hrs WhEn you meant TO ReaD for 30mIn? are yOu
doing Something that you neED to Discipline youRseLf inTO DoIng?

------
GUmBY
I dOn'T KnoW IF the author can reAsonably coNfLAtE the issues HE doEs. i often
(bUt not alWays -- pERhaps 50/50) "faIl" to listeN to a song aLl The wAY
ThrOugh -- but
 to me so I can read all
t his inform ation  in  aea sier  way ". Other books arelike that, not only in 
scie nc e  but al so in  litera t ur e ,  ph il os oph y, co mputi ng(e.g.:TAOCP) and  so 
m any other ar e as .

The pro ble m we have no wad ays is  t hat ,  beca use  it b ecames o much  easier t ow rite b o oks, we h av e mo re and more books th a t don't add mu ch tohu m an k now led ge. In the  o ld ti m es, wri t in g a ndp ublishing a b ook was har d , w hich
m ea ntt hat th e thr es h old  for accept ance  was much  highe r . Our s o ciety v iews
t his  do wngr a di ng  of  b o okq ua lit y  as  a signth at  book s ar e n o t agoo d fo rmat, 
when in fact  th is i s  ju st an  unin tend ed  cons equenc e ofou r technology.
---- --
netcan 
Ith ink  t he ch a nges a reinh erent t o inter a cti vi t y an d the infinite vol um e of 
the int ernet. Th es e  changeev ery thin g .  Once  you ca n respon d, you ar ea partof 
the f ra y a ndyourt hink ing ch anges.
Wheny ou read an int e resting nonfi c ti o n  b o ok t oda y, you canalso chec k
wi k ip edi a , lis ten t op od c asts, watch the aut ho r givi ng aTed talk andjump
intot h e  infinit e se a  o f  informal onli ne co mmentary.IE, read ing o n HN isnot readi n g  in thesen setha t r e a di ng some booki n  199 1was. It 'sbeing i n a  co nve rsa ti on, for b etter an dwo rs e.  Yo ur mi n d is
ope ra tin gina dif f erentconte xt.
I  a l sothink t h at w riti ng  i s ad apt in g mor e sl o wly  than r eading. M any nonf ic ti on book s I find inte re sting are25 0-4 00 pag e s  when th ey could be under
100 a n d justaseffec tive . I think  th at's s ome side e ffectof pa pe rba c k  book s pu bli sh ed by thep u bli shing  i ndus try, th e medium and its e c ono mic ecosystem .
In a n y  c ase ,  i f  yo uw ant t o maintain read ing of tha tk in d as a hab i t o rpursuit , you n eed t o  create  an envir onment fo rit.H a vea readingroom inyour
hous e , got oa caf e o r park  o r y our g ardena ndreadthere.  S et and  sett in g.
You a lso need to be somewhat  hones t abo utwhat youlik e  an d how. Ar e yo u so
engro sse d t hat y our ead f or 3 h rs  wh e n you  mea n t to read fo r 3 0 m in ? Are you
d o i n g s ometh ing that y ou n eed to discipline yourself intodoin g ? 

- --- - -
gu mb y
I don't know  if  t h e  authorca n reasonabl y confla te the i ssueshe doe s. I of t e n( but no t al way s -- perh aps  5 0 /50) "f ai l" to lis tento  a son g allt he w a y 
through -- but
 to_me so_I can read all
this_information in_a_easier way"._Other_books are like_that, not only_in
science but also in_literature, philosophy, computing_(e.g.:_TAOCP) and so
many other areas.

The problem we have nowadays is that, because it became_so_much easier_to
write_books,_we have more and more_books that don't add much_to human
knowledge._In the old times, writing and publishing a_book_was hard, which
meant_that the threshold for acceptance was much higher. Our_society views
this downgrading of book quality_as a sign_that_books_are not a good_format,
when in fact this is just_an unintended consequence of our technology.

------
netcan
I_think the changes are inherent to interactivity_and the infinite volume of
the internet._These change everything. Once you_can respond,_you are a part of
the_fray and your_thinking changes.

When_you read an_interesting nonfiction book today, you can_also check
wikipedia, listen_to podcasts, watch the author giving_a_Ted talk and_jump
into_the_infinite sea_of informal online_commentary.

IE,_reading on_HN_is not reading in the sense_that_reading some book in 1991
was. It's being_in a conversation, for_better_and worse. Your mind_is
operating in a different context.

I_also think that writing is adapting_more slowly_than reading._Many
nonfiction books I find interesting are 250-400 pages when they could_be under
100 and just as effective._I think that's some_side effect_of_paperback books
published by_the_publishing industry,_the medium and its economic ecosystem.

In any_case, if_you want to maintain reading of_that kind as a_habit_or
pursuit, you need to create an_environment for it. Have a reading_room in your
house, go to_a_cafe_or park or your garden_and read there. Set and setting.
You_also need to_be somewhat honest about what you like_and_how. Are you so
engrossed that you_read_for 3hrs when you meant to_read_for_30min? Are you
doing something that_you need to discipline yourself into_doing?

------
gumby
I don't know if the author can reasonably conflate_the issues he_does. I often
(but not always_--_perhaps_50/50) "fail" to listen to a song all the way
through_-- but