http://www.bdhamilton.com/articles/reading-something-for-the-first-time?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=reading-something-for-the-first-time Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:17:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.bdhamilton.com/articles/reading-something-for-the-first-time/comment-page-1#comment-2231 Brian Hamilton » Learning to Listen Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:54:26 +0000 http://bdhamilton.com/?p=245#comment-2231 <p>[...] before saying anything, learning to think like the author and anticipate her moves. It’s like coming to know a friend, as I’ve said before of reading anything, so to more truly understand, more deeply learn, and [...]</p> [...] before saying anything, learning to think like the author and anticipate her moves. It’s like coming to know a friend, as I’ve said before of reading anything, so to more truly understand, more deeply learn, and [...]

]]> http://www.bdhamilton.com/articles/reading-something-for-the-first-time/comment-page-1#comment-78 Brian Hamilton Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:32:42 +0000 http://bdhamilton.com/?p=245#comment-78 <pre><code><p>A better metaphor than coming to know a person might by coming to know a place. Is it helpful to start counting rocks or trees when we first come to a beautiful clearing? No, one should rather sit and gaze. Those accustomed to seeking out beautiful places may develop an eye for them; they might learn to recognize and remember the elements of a place quickly. But these don’t seek to ‘memorize’ the place either—they <em>imbibe</em> its beauty. Likewise with texts: if we aim first to drink in their character, we may find gradually that their features come to rest in us more effortlessly.</p> </code></pre> <p>A better metaphor than coming to know a person might by coming to know a place. Is it helpful to start counting rocks or trees when we first come to a beautiful clearing? No, one should rather sit and gaze. Those accustomed to seeking out beautiful places may develop an eye for them; they might learn to recognize and remember the elements of a place quickly. But these don&#8217;t seek to &#8216;memorize&#8217; the place either&#8212;they <em>imbibe</em> its beauty. Likewise with texts: if we aim first to drink in their character, we may find gradually that their features come to rest in us more effortlessly.</p> ]]>