A lot of people like to talk about speed reading as if it were a competition. Like if you're out on the golf course and your buddy tries to out-drive you on the tee shot. Of if you are in the gym bench pressing and there's always that one guy who loads up the bar and grunts and groans making a big show of his strength. I remember one conversation between two nerdy kind of guys and they were arguing over whose computer had more processing power. That's when a buddy of mine interjected and said, "OK, why don't you just say that you've got a bigger d...!".
You will hear some speed readers brag and say that they can read over 1,000 words a minute or how they finished Tolstoy over breakfast. Truth is that even though it is called speed reading, it is not just the speed that is important. What's more important is the knowledge and assimilation.
For instance, is it possible to speed read a telephone book? Of course, its not like there's a whole lot of subtext behind those addresses and names. However, is it possible to speed read a book by Socrates? Of course, however, you will likely miss out on the underlying meaning and overall depth of his works. Reading some texts is kind of like an iceberg. You might only see 10% of it above water. But there's a mountain of stuff underlying what you read at face value.
What's infinitely more important than reading fast is reading with precision, accuracy, and quick assimilation. If you can read as if you are watching a movie and all the while the gears in your head are turning, constantly questioning the veracity of what is being said, then you are a proficient reader. However, you can read at 2,000 words per minute, but if you only grasp the surface of what is being said, you may be just wasting your time.
So, in my view, the goal of speed reading should be a combination of accuracy, depth, understanding, assimilation AND speed. Don't get too hung up on words per minute. Spend more time exploring the underside of that iceberg.
Mr. Ocean is right that learning to read faster is useless unless it is accompanied by comprehension and retention. What he did not address in his article is how to achieve such results. One way is unquestionably to take a live speed reading course. Another way is even easier -- using a reading efficiency software program. One such effective product I've found in my 10 years as a speed reading instructor is the AceReader Pro Reading Efficiency software. It contains 260 grade-leveled Comprehension Tests, plus a wide variety of warm-up and text Drills and fun yet challenging Games. It contains a fully automated Course Mode that leads the individual through the process, and it also has a fully customizable Expert Mode that allows you to adjust all parameters of the display mode. It is particularly effective when it is used to complement the techniques presented in a live class, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to become a more efficient and proficient reader.
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