I am currently reading Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants“. I use the word reading, but I am actually listening to the audiobook version. In part 2 of the book, Malcolm poses the question “You wouldn’t wish dyslexia on your child. Or would you?” It is interesting that I am listening to this book, rather than reading it, because I don’t read very well. Although I have never been formally diagnosed with dyslexia, reading has been a lifelong struggle for me. I easily identify with the descriptions and challenges he describes in his story about David Boies.
Malcolm, or his editor, makes a mistake in the transition from printed book to audiobook that I found rather comical. It appears a Find/Replace action was done that found the word “reading” and replaced it with “listening to” to acknowledge how the person is consuming the material. However, without considering the context of the paragraph, the simple word replacement may not be appropriate. Take the following passage for example:
“But let’s not forget that if you are reading this book, you are probably a reader! And that means you’ve probably never had to think of all the shortcuts and strategies and by-passes that exist to get around reading”
Applying the Find/Replace would result in the following, which is exactly the passage I heard this morning during my morning commute to work:
“But let’s not forget that if you are listening to this book, you are probably a reader! And that means you’ve probably never had to think of all the shortcuts and strategies and by-passes that exist to get around reading”
Listening to this book, rather than reading it, is EXACTLY the kind of shortcut, strategy, or by-pass one might use to get around reading.
This is simply an error I found humorous and not a criticism of his work. Malcolm Gladwell is one of my absolute favorite authors. He is a great storyteller and I feel I learn so much from his work. I highly recommend reading (print or audio edition) any of his books.
