Yesterday, I stumbled upon a YouTube video by a creator named SpoonFedStudy who claims to read 1,000 pages a day and retain everything. He even promises to teach viewers how to achieve this feat.
I have several concerns with this video and plan to address them in detail soon. For now, let’s consider some glaring issues:
- Incentives for Sensationalism: YouTube creators are financially motivated to sensationalize their claims. Each click and view translates to profit, creating an environment ripe for misinformation, propaganda, and impractical ideas.
- Competitive Absurdity: The quest for more followers pushes creators to outdo each other in a race to the bottom. This leads to increasingly ridiculous and unfounded claims.
- Culture of Comparison: Videos like this foster a culture of comparison. Reading has shifted from a means of genuine learning to a bragging right. It’s no longer about gaining knowledge but about eliciting the biggest reaction.
You know my stance on this. Reading is an art that requires a centered, focused, and committed mind. Imagine if Michelangelo had offered seminars on painting 1,000 Sistine Chapels in a day. We would reject the notion outright because we understand that true mastery, like reading an important book, takes time and dedication. There are no shortcuts to excellence.
Here’s a link to the video. Go check it out, and then return and leave a comment. Let me know what you think. Oh, and if you’re tired of creator’s pushing impossible reading goals, check out my post on How to Fix Your Reading Brain.
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
I tried twice to watch the video, but I could not stay focused on the concepts. So, I would guess that I would not benefit from trying his techniques. I have been wanting to read more and slow down for a while now.