Learning from books vs YouTube / Documentaries

[VaDImadi]

I've recently realized that for me, YouTube is a better way to learn things than books.

Books can be long winded and repetitive in order to bulk them out and appear like they contain more substance. With YouTube videos (this includes documentaries etc) that aren't adverts in disguise, they pack in tonnes of information into an hour or so long video.

Does anyone agree with that?

I've recently learned tonnes of new information about the Queen on England, of all things and that was from a few 15 minute YouTube videos

Now I want to continue this productive learning, but I find my internet addiction is too strong. I won't focus, I will have 7 other pages open, checking forums etc

To get around this, my plan is to buy a smart TV and watch documentaries and what not on it, leaving my laptop switched off. That should help me focus and learn more

(Don't currently have a TV because I saw them as mind numbing, but now realised how I waste my time on the internet is far more mind numbing)

What do you think

Should I buy a TV for said purposes?

 

[Millard]

I've recently realized that for me, YouTube is a better way to learn things than books.

Books can be long winded and repetitive in order to bulk them out and appear like they contain more substance. With YouTube videos (this includes documentaries etc) that aren't adverts in disguise, they pack in tonnes of information into an hour or so long video.

Does anyone agree with that?

I couldn't disagree more. I find the opposite to be true. Reading is so much more efficient. Of course, there are exceptions like training instructional video, etc. IDK, maybe I am in the minority?

 

[Eman]

I think it comes down to what type of learner you are.

I get a lot out of reading but I also really enjoy documentaries and videos on YouTube, I can learn a lot from either.

Videos are often much more to the point, and can glaze over a lot of other information. If you're reading about the same subject, I personally feel like you'll get a lot more out of it but it's a moot point if it doesn't hold your attention. Also depends on the author and how well you jive with the writing style - I've read fiction books with the best plot idea but the writing style was like taking a sleeping pill.

I also think documentaries tend to be more susceptible to bias or dramatization, which makes them slightly less honest or accurate.

I think if I really want to know a lot more about a subject, books are the way to go. If I want to have fun with a subject that I don't know anything about, I might opt for a documentary.

 

[VaDImadi]

I couldn't disagree more. I find the opposite to be true. Reading is so much more efficient. Of course, there are exceptions like training instructional video, etc. IDK, maybe I am in the minority?

How is it more efficient?

It takes about a week or more to get through a book. You can watch a documentary packed with info in an hour and get the same points

Perhaps you remember better with reading because it's an active thing whereas watching is passive. So perhaps a good idea would be to watch and then write down the main points, thereby making it active. I think that could work well

 

[notdeadYET]

For me watching videos is easier to cover a lot of ground. Reading however is more helpful for me to get a deeper understanding. I take more notes, underline, highlight, etc. Both are useful.

 

[TideGear]

I agree with millard and eman. Videos for DIY and books for most other things. A book will make teach you more because they're more in depth. If you just want to browse a subject then a video might be better.

 

[Millard]

How is it more efficient?

It takes about a week or more to get through a book. You can watch a documentary packed with info in an hour and get the same points

I guess it depends on the topic.

If the acquisition of in-depth information is the primary goal, I'd much rather read transcripts of interviews with experts than listen to them actually speak. It's much faster.

If you give me a transcript of an hour-long documentary, podcast, etc, I could condense/extract the useful info within 10-15 minutes in most cases. So could most people. That's why I find reading more efficient.

Having said that, I am also a huge fan of documentaries. I enjoy the genre for several reasons.

The biggest reason is probably the one mentioned by @Eman and @TideGear. I really appreciate a good documentary when it comes to topics which I am not very familiar with or am not particularly self-motivated to read about or would otherwise not hold my attention.

I also enjoy the entertainment value of a good documentary as well even if it is a topic I know. For example, I enjoyed the storytelling of Icarus even though you could learn even more by spending 10-15 minutes reading NYT and other investigative reports on the topic.

You never would have known how funny and likable Rodchenkov was by just reading the news. But is that a good or bad thing?

 

[Longevity]

Mom was a librarian and got me started on reading for pleasure when I was 16 yrs. So for me a book is my natural habitat! Except for working on my truck, that's gotta be video cause I suck as a mechanic.

I believe that by reading the material it is more coducive to learning. But, you must always choose the right author for whatever genre you're interested in. Ask a librarian for advice in that regard.