Are Videos/Films better than Books?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Zohair, Oct 16, 2010.

  1. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    So I was having an argument with a friend of mine earlier this evening. I was of course in favour of the books more than I was ever in favour of the visuals in comparison to the written material. His point was that a video saves a lot of time and sums up the book to the point. But I argued that the books give you the extra detail and that nothing can beat 'reading' and creating your own imagination. For example; he said that instead of reading the book - The Secret - I should watch the documentary and simply get the point they are trying to convey. He said that it would save my time and give me the ultimatum which is Success or Positive thinking in this matter. Now I can't seem to understand why I would want to watch a video which will obviously miss out on a 100 things that a book would explain in great detail. I understand and believe that books give you the extra 'edge' which is most of the time required to get the winning end. I don't say that Videos are completely useless but I also don't find them as convincing as a book may be.

    I wanted to know the opinion of people here, what they think of this.. And is reading books really that much a waste of time? It hurt me to keep quiet while he kept on reasoning about videos and stuff.. As far as I've experienced, most people hated the films Twilight, Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons etc.. Now he tells me to just get to the point and cut the crap, if they're ultimate motive is to get you to start thinking positive, then do it. How the **** is someone supposed to do something without acquiring enough knowledge about that particular subject. Why are there billions of people out there who 'read' and not just watch a fucking video on Youtube which will give them the same end result. Why do most of the successful people in the world read.. Professors, Scientists, Researchers.. I've witnessed all kinds then WHY is that I should consider videos to be better than books. Another example I got about the difference and reading was that a video will show you how a particular character in a novel looks like and you'll be able to memorize him better than when you read the details in the book and create him yourself.

    I guess that should do for now, please give me input and feedback on this subject as I'd really like to get myself straightened up.
     
  2. Undertow

    Undertow Senior Member

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    I'd rather watch porn over reading it.
     
  3. Hibridfox

    Hibridfox Active Member

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    Hmm..well...if your looking for a better storyline than the book always wins. But, books are a lot more time-consuming and a lot of people are too lazy to read anyway....hence the invention of movies...easier, faster, entertainment with the same basic points :p
     
  4. BlueDream

    BlueDream Active Member

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    I unfortunately dont read alot BUT defiantly believe that books are better. reading is alot better than just the visuals, because you can expand your creativity and see things in your own prospective rather than someone else. you can get it to your own understanding which is mostly what its all about, its your interpretation on the subject. that is why when you see something in your own vision and see the real thing its disappointing.

    LIKE a song. then you picture the music video and the video turns out to be some random crap that u are asking urself wtf is that. lol u get teh point :p
     
  5. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    Yea yea, I got your point. I think this guy sums it up pretty well:
    Code:
    http://www.wisegeek.com/why-are-books-always-better-than-the-movie-versions.htm
     
  6. inverse

    inverse Banned from GR

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    It's kinda like asking whether a Car or an Aeroplane is better. They're totally different machines, designed for different purposes, and implemented totally different, DESPITE both being methods of travel.
     
  7. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    Not *so* different from each other inverse.
     
  8. Kay87

    Kay87 Well-Known Member

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    well i find that films fail when they are adapted from books. so i agree with inverse
    they are both different and really shouldn't be crossed, even if we are deciding which is best, because both have strengths and weaknesses that make them about equal

    (not what inverse was getting at i kno, but still)
     
  9. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    How about when people tell you to watch FILMS or DOCUMENTARIES over reading books in order to achieve anything the book as to offer.

    In this case; take the example of the Book Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
     
  10. inverse

    inverse Banned from GR

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    Read the book. If you have the time, read the book. The information will stick in your mind better, and a book is a much easier on-the-fly reference if you want to quickly look anything up.

    Then, you could watch the documentary if you felt like it.
     
  11. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    Exactly what I've been trying to convey.
     
  12. One Of A Kind

    One Of A Kind Well-Known Member

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    Depends what you're talking about watching/reading.

    Im probably never going to read the Harry Potter books. but might watch the film should it happen to be on. I've read and watched The Godfather, and must admit didnt get more from the book. But these are both fiction, I suppose documentaries will contain better information in a book.
    But I tend to look at books for these anyway... considering I'd fail my degree if I dont, I have kind of got into the habit of using them.
     
  13. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    I'm not really that interested in reading Fantasy/Fiction etc... kind of books, I'm more into history, information etc..
     
  14. dts

    dts Well-Known Member

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    Hi I usually download ebook's, it's been a long time since I bought a book. Yes I miss the page flipping on the fly. But when it comes to modeling a car in maya or doing something in photoshop or doing origami or new xxx techniques, video's rule !!!
     
  15. Zohair

    Zohair Formerly zohBOT

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    Video tutorials for graphic and computer software > Books.
     

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