Struggles & Identity > Thoughts

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Have you noticed that reading comprehension is at an all time low?

Reading comments on forums and under content creator videos is exhausting because no one thinks very much before typing.
They often don't listen to comprehend and they certainly do not read.
I meantion this only because this is very sad for our future.
Reading so many comments where users are replying over and over to each other but are literally off topic or completely misunderstanding each other is exhausting.
Have any of you noticed this as well?
Are we so busy now that we no longer have the time to pay attention to each other? Perhaps we are so selfish that we simply don't care what others have to say.

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SW-User

I don’t think it’s reading comprehension, I think exposure to other people’s foolishness is at an all time high

syfy86 · 46-50, M

I think it's a variety of things. There are studies that highlight our decreasing attention span. It makes sense, and I notice comments like "Ugh, that's way too much to read." More so, I believe there's a rise in people desiring to announce things and make statements rather than converse, and even struggling to understand the difference. I feel it must be related to why many say we're struggling to have respectful discourse.

I think your statement "Perhaps we are so selfish that we simply don't care what others have to say" isn't too far off. I believe there's a rise in individualism.

I like reading thoughtful posts and am always impressed with respectful comments, almost regardless of their position. I think the open-mindedness and desire for dialogue and civility often tells me a lot about the user.

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elafina · 36-40, F

@syfy86 maybe it is that now, more than ever, we have A TON of things to read! The periods I would let it happen, my friends would bombard me with links and texts and articles, I mean I am doing my own daily research and I am reading the things that interest me in this ocean of information! Alas if I had to read every text that is nowadays coming up!

Yet, I still see myself all those that you are referring to. But at the same time with the rise of individualism, I see all these awakening wave/re-rainbow children /shaman, tribal,goddesses and wild women rising/and also the kung-fu, yogis, meditative/ living off grids and others forming small sustainable communities, etc, you get my point. I had to write all these because I wanted to give the balance that I see from here, the balance to individualism and darkness 💚

syfy86 · 46-50, M

Thanks for the great reply @elafina, and thank you for looking at this from another viewpoint! I also have a feeling we'd agree on a number of things.

I agree completely that information overload is part of the problem. I think we're still trying to find an equilibrium with living in the information age. I notice a lot of people who fall into two camps. There are those who try to educate themselves, grow themselves, and stay well informed; unfortunately they often find themselves overwhelmed with the information. This often leads us to wanting our information it easily digestible in bite-size pieces, or avoiding it altogether. This leads to better health (yes, I believe that) but has other pitfalls.

Individualism also has many great benefits and insights but like everything, it can have negative effects when taken too far.

I believe one of the keys here is to search for balance, which is one of the reasons I like your response.

[quote]I had to write all these because I wanted to give the balance that I see from here...[/quote]

Thanks for your great thoughts and adding to the conversation.

SatanBurger · 36-40, F

@syfy86 I want to say those are good points but I also wanted to add that
conditions like ADHD and ADD may add to the issue also. I've known people with ADHD and this one person just got on medication, in this case he liked reading a lot but couldn't do it before. When he got on medication, he was able to concentrate enough to read. In all honesty there could be undiagnosed people out there who may not even be aware they have it.

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REMsleep · 41-45, F

@SW-User I agree very much! Online communication makes this so easy. Its our default now.

TimingQuasars

Not going to lie... You might be right... I was born in a generation that they say doesnt work... And also truthfully if i see a long long paragraph i will not read it because is just too long. And i get bored too easily...

I like fun things idc how important it is... If it's boring... I will ignore it idc. I am not built for boring stuff...

We dont have to read anymore thats 1920s times were in the future ok??? That's why they made YouTube and tik tok and stuff.. So we dont have to read anymore..

REMsleep · 41-45, F

@TimingQuasars Thank you for your honesty but your attitude will hurt you and everyone around you. If you don't personally vet the info you receive then you will stay increasing uninformed and this is by design. Be careful my friend

elafina · 36-40, F

@REMsleep you know I have been at TimingQuasars's place once around my 20's. It's not as cynical as it comes out. BTW, i' m 33,so consider me a bridge. It's that, new decodings are coming up. New ways of conveying information through imagery. And as with every thing, you lose sth in order to get sth. I personally have trust in newcomers. Not that I don't see your point though.
To end this politely, @TimingQuasars read some fucking book 😂 "The power of now" read that to become stronger if you wish!! 💪📖🦊

TimingQuasars

@elafina hmm it better not be boring!! But Ill check it out

LucyFuhr · 56-60, F

I've come to the conclusion that people "social media" in an effort to [b][i]get[/i][/b] attention not give it.
Staying on someone else's topic would just be a hindrance.

Elevatorpitches · F

@LucyFuhr I want to do that and no where to go.Stay on someone's topic that is. Can't find anyone who wants people like me staying with them

ozgirl512 · 26-30, F

To an extent I agree... Reading doesn't appear to rate highly with some... Me, I love it, but I do misinterpret at times still

TimingQuasars

@ozgirl512 i hate reading... Its a waste of time... That's what Google's for

Wiseacre · F

It’s the fast pace that actually changes the workings of the brain...and with ever evolving technology, it will get much worse.

iamnikki · 31-35, F

I comprehend very well, I just pick and choose what I want to respond to. I don't have to respond to every point that a poster made,simply because[i]they[/i] took the time to type it all out🤷‍♀️.

And I made this comment using myself as an example, because I've gotten that comment before. "Did you not read what I said".
Yes I did, just didn't respond to it...

Elevatorpitches · F

The loneliness reminds me evry time

stound

Speed is much more valuable than correctness, i suspect

SatanBurger · 36-40, F

I've noticed it but I think it was always there. It's just more highlighted with the internet now than ever before. It's not about not having time to pay attention, it's mainly because in the States for example, we have the lowest literacy rate of all developed nations. Though this isn't the only reason, it's also a major factor.

Part of literacy is reading comprehension, so someone may be able to know what the word dog means when they're reading, they may be able to read a sentence but if there's a slight word change that may change the whole meaning of a sentence, they won't read it like that. They won't be able to tell what's being said.

It's frustrating, agreed, there's not much we can do though.

theAlchemist · 56-60, M

Yes. It's everywhere online, including here. Online arguments where both individuals are "talking past" each other. All shouting into a void.

curiosi · 61-69, F

Journalism has been on the decline for years. I read the local paper in the mornings and sometimes I struggle to figure it out.

REMsleep · 41-45, F

@curiosi Journalisim is nearly dead but there are some good journalists but you have to pick through the nonsense and work so hard to find the truth.

uncleshawn · 41-45, M

I'm not sure about the idea that people can read the future, but you may be right that digging a well is exhausting.

checkoutanytime · M

Yes, it's crazy how people ignore comprehensive communication.

Elevatorpitches · F

@checkoutanytime Its very understandable. Civilization in general has been debased in America and lots of other places. Easier to install dictatorships that way.

REMsleep · 41-45, F

@Elevatorpitches Yes this lack of critical thinking and real exchange of ideas will open the door for lack of freedom, increase in consolidation of power and uneducated masses. Very scary

Mindful · 56-60, F

I try. But yes, I have occasionally misread people’s posts.

Slade · 56-60, M

I'm sure these scatterbrains would do wonderful in law school where you have tons of reading every day and often get called on it to recite. In front of the entire large class.

I demand complete focus from anyone I am with. Especially when it comes to my dick.

REMsleep · 41-45, F

@Slade I was about to take you seriously until that last line 🤦🏾‍♀️
But even University has changed. My Aunt is a lawyer and she was talking to some recent grads from her very prestigious law school and half is online and they don't have to do most of what she had to do. She was shocked.

Slade · 56-60, M

@REMsleep Ugh. I only went 1st year and it's a non stop pressure cooker (to prepare for the life). You not only had to read a bunch of cases every day, you had to brief them in front of the entire class (100+) if called.

All while challenged non stop by a very unsympathetic prof.

The business didn't interest me after doing a clerkship, but the training is rigorous for a reason. Benefits can last a lifetime

BiasForAction · M

post is too long. i didn't read it all.

SW-User

It’s fine if your fifth grader 🤦‍♂️ Lol

Zonuss · 41-45, M

So is the vibration of humanity.

DDonde · 31-35, M

I have noticed too.

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