Would you read at 200 words per minute with this new app?

Is this an exciting announcement of just another way of removing the pleasure from reading?

I was intrigued when I read the email from Jess at Starts at Sixty asking if I would like to test this reading app – link here http://www.springwise.com/read-300-page-book-90-minutes-app/

 Read a 300-page book in 90 minutes with ‘text streaming’

Now as you know I love to read but this weekend found me with 2 books to read and review, plus 2 more which had to be returned to the library in the next few days.  As fast as I read, 4 books in three days isn’t really achievable, even with the best will in the world and little sleep!

Based on these circumstances, the thought that in about 9 hours I could finish my outstanding reading list, with high retention and comprehension, was extremely attractive.  Then, given another fortnight, 10 hours per day, I could almost remove my “backlist” and start afresh. Well let me at it I say!

“Spritz believes that humans can read much faster using its system of ‘streaming’ text at up to 600 words per minute.

As online content continues to be increasingly consumed through mobile platforms, it’s no wonder we’re seeing new formats to deliver information more quickly and fluidly.  In the past we’ve see Wibbitz present any news story as a visual and dynamic infographic instead of plain old text. But now Spritz believes that humans can read much faster using its system of “streaming” text at up to 600 words per minute.

Developed for smart phones and watches, the company has spent the last three years researching and trialing its system of what it calls ‘text streaming’.  Based on the theory that most readers are slowed down in the information intake by the movements of the eye as it scans lines of text, Spritz squeezes entire novels into a small, 300 pixel-wide space and instead flashes each word for a brief fraction of a second.”

The link above will take you to a sample of how this technology works and I tried it out for quite some time before deciding that it is an aspect of technology I might use in a pinch, but not often.

Let me tell you why:

• Although at the top speed I could “read” what was on the screen, I felt it was very hard on the eyes.
• It was easier at the lower speeds, but I already read around those speeds anyway.
• Something I enjoy about reading is where the mind is lead by the author.  I visit many worlds in a week; I live many lives, some more enjoyable than others.
• If I set the speed of the “text streaming” to allow me to read a 300 page book in 90 minutes, would I enjoy the same experiences?

As I write, I am aware that I write with the prejudices of my age.  I have spent so many happy hours with my books, I can’t see a time when for enjoyment I would use this system.  If I allowed my mind to wonder into the book and “live” there for a time, the story will have moved on and my favourite accessory would be the Rewind button.

So saying, I have to admit that due to “me arfuritis”, I have moved 95% of my reading for information, news and enjoyment to electronic resources and eBooks, which I love.  So in different circumstances however such as:

• For a rushed weekend with four books to read; the answer is maybe.
• In a previous life I “read” five newspapers each morning; the answer is yes.
• If like my niece I was required to read huge volumes of written matter each day, the answer is yes.

Have a look everyone, test out the three speeds and share your opinion.  Is this a must have, a maybe or a not in this lifetime?

Would you use this app or do you still love beautiful books?