Improving Brain and Spirit

Top 2. Jun 4, 2005 9:54 AM

» plox - statistics

Eighty percent of Americans did not buy or read, and will not buy or read, a book this year. (Yet, book sales are at an all time high. Interesting. . .)

Now that is interesting.
I have been told that the 80/20 rule applies to loyal customers of brandname products...
and to criminal activity.

In other words, 80% of any repeated activity is done by the same 20% of the general population.

The other 20% of the activity are one-shot or random events attributable to the other 80% of the general population.
(hope the way I worded that is understandable)

As a side note, I think I have heard somewhere that growing up reading books develops the mind differently than growing up watching television.
Not sure there is still a "control group" left in the world for studies on the effect of television versus widespread reading!

-- posted by plox

Top 3. Jun 4, 2005 10:07 AM

» RichardSpeaks - Re: Great Advice!

In response to Pinky102

"My wife hits the garage sales. . ."

I have, since 1986, opted not to own a car (I do have a friend who lets me drive now and then, but that's it). So, getting around to as many garage, yard, and flea-type markets is not as easy as it used to be. Having Powell's City of Books right on my main bus line is like heaven. I jump on, read awhile, jump off and spend at least 2-3 hours 3-5 days a week there. How do I do that? I only work 40 hours a month, plus a little speaking here and there. I have the privilege of enough free time to read as much as I like. I know that not everyone does, but there is always at least an hour or two in any given week for reading. Am I wrong?

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

Top 4. Jun 4, 2005 10:12 AM

» RichardSpeaks - Re: statistics

In response to plox

". . .hope the way I worded that is understandable"

Indeed, and thanks for the contribution. You are right.

And you are also right about the reading/TV thing. Watching a lot of TV has been shown to dull the senses, while reading awakens them. However, it's easy to become mesmerized by that glowing box. Even I, who loves to read, can get caught in the primetime net. And often do. I love Jeopardy, Family Feud, and even the old Nanny reruns. News bores me anymore, but I suppose one has to keep in touch. (Isn't that a cop-out??!!)

Thanks again for your insights.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

Top 5. Jun 6, 2005 6:56 AM

» HarvestMoon - Re: Re: statistics

Another excellent article, as usual, Richard! My hubby is one of the 80% non-readers. I tend to think his internal life must be very boring. I read every day, and I even have two categories of reading: entertainment (what I call "TV reading," aka fiction) and brain food. Most of my brain food I find on the internet (I'm not sure my county even has a bookstore) but once in a while I come into some money and head to Amazon.com.

Very interesting stats on readers. I'm willing to bet too that the people who read a lot are also more tolerant of others and less likely to believe everything they hear or read.

Kaci

-- posted by HarvestMoon

Top 6. Jun 6, 2005 4:21 PM

» RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: statistics

In response to HarvestMoon

Thanks for your delightful response. One of the things I read recently was that profound readers of just about anything (except tabloid trash and science fiction, which can both be fun in a different way) are also better listeners. And that makes for more tolerance. Continued tolerance leads ultimately to more justice and there you have a better world. Aren't I a great pontificator!!??

Thanks again.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks