Speed Running Entertainment

[Reynard]

I legitimately don't understand how some folks speed run their way through a thing they have been really waiting for, especially books but also things like television shows or video games. Don't folks like to savor things?

A long awaited Big fat fantasy novel came out a few days ago, and all over my feeds I see people tearing through its ridiculous page count in mere days. How can you appreciate it if you read as fast as humanly possible just to be the first to finish it?

 

[payn]

Folks process things at different speeds. There really is no determined point of speed that dictates savor vs no savor.

 

[Reynard]

Folks process things at different speeds. There really is no determined point of speed that dictates savor vs no savor.

While I don't doubt that is true, it is clear from peoples own words/posts that they are working to finish some of these things as rapidly as they can. It's so alien to me.

 

[payn]

While I don't doubt that is true, it is clear from peoples own words/posts that they are working to finish some of these things as rapidly as they can. It's so alien to me.

I do know some folks speed through to not get internet spoiled. A sort of strain of FOMO. Others, simply avoid the internet somehow entirely until they can finish at their own pace. So, I do think culturally folks have changed a bit on the speed in which they consume media.

 

[TwoSix]

I legitimately don't understand how some folks speed run their way through a thing they have been really waiting for, especially books but also things like television shows or video games. Don't folks like to savor things?

A long awaited Big fat fantasy novel came out a few days ago, and all over my feeds I see people tearing through its ridiculous page count in mere days. How can you appreciate it if you read as fast as humanly possible just to be the first to finish it?

I'm only about 25% through said fat fantasy novel, but it's mostly because I've only had a few free hours since this weekend.

If I had a PTO day free to take, I'd probably be done by now.

 

[MarkB]

I do know some folks speed through to not get internet spoiled. A sort of strain of FOMO. Others, simply avoid the internet somehow entirely until they can finish at their own pace. So, I do think culturally folks have changed a bit on the speed in which they consume media.

In some cases it'll also be so that they can get in on the discussion, not wanting to come in without all the facts but also not wanting to only join in after it's all been discussed to death.

 

[TwoSix]

In some cases it'll also be so that they can get in on the discussion, not wanting to come in without all the facts but also not wanting to only join in after it's all been discussed to death.

This. If there's a big movie coming out (like MCU movies used to be), you want to get in to see it on opening weekend so you can talk about it.

 

[zottel]

What book is it? Kinda curious now.
Because I think it heavily depends on the book. Some cause me to think about them a lot between chapters, others you can read in one sitting and not miss much, in my experience.

 

[payn]

In some cases it'll also be so that they can get in on the discussion, not wanting to come in without all the facts but also not wanting to only join in after it's all been discussed to death.

Very true. It seems like the internet water cooler has a time limit. Sure, folks will still talk about X months/years after it comes out, but the most intense discussion will be right on the heels of the release. So, being in on the talk while the talk is fresh is very enticing to some folks

 

[Gradine]

There is an ever-growing amount of content competing for our attention, and late-stage capitalism is ensuring we have increasingly less time for leisure. Less time, more content, all we can do is zoom through it.


Incidentally, my wife was once talking about a TV show with her students (college students!) and how it was coming out one episode a week, and the students (again, in college!) referred to that as "The Disney+ Model"