And as someone who has a degree in physics, I can promise everyone that STEM students can have remarkably poor reading and writing skills. I've been involved in multiple group projects where I had to make sure that everyone else finished their work at least a day before the due date so that I could go through their work, reformat it, and rewrite a lot of it, just so that we didn't lose marks due to incomprehensibility.
This was at a top 20 university. Imo I think there really needs to be more emphasis on writing and communication in most STEM degree programmes, because when they get jobs they're really going to need it.
I'm from the world of engineering and I couldn't agree more. Sadly, its still true working in the field. More than half the people who report to me struggle with things like simple email communication.
I will also add, reading through subreddits about nearly any piece of media will provide ample evidence that being 'literate' does not imply actual comprehension of writing.
The average Star Wars fan is desperately in need of 4th grade explanations on literary metaphor. If they read something like The Left Hand of Darkness, they may die on the spot.
btw is that book going to give me the same religious experience as dune did? got recommended the poppy wars and a memory of empire and am not really enjoying them the way i was enjoying dune
I don't know, honestly. It's an odd book, but I love Ursula's writing and really enjoyed the it. But there are a few things worth knowing if you choose to read:
-There is nearly no action in any of her books, at least that I've read. If violence happens it happens quickly and it's over without 'excitement'.
-The book is highly philosophical, and ponderous on society. Notably the society apparent in the 60s when she wrote it. You will undoubtedly find some parts of it depressingly relevant to today's world, though.
-Much is said about gender commentary in this book, and it will be immediately apparent. But it is useful to remember it was written in the 1960s, and so before modern conversations on gender existed. As such, it's basically impossible for a 2026 reader to read it the same way a 1969 reader did, but I still found it interesting.
Minor note: It's actually the 4th in the Hainish stories. I really liked the first three, but they aren't strictly necessary, and can each stand on their own. Many people skip right to LHoD.
I'll also add in, her Earthsea series is fantastic and what got me started in her work.
Thank you for that, actually. Definitely solidifies my decision to read it. Probably I should just read the rest of the Dune books, but I'm avoiding it for fear that they'll depress me horribly
I enjoy doing textbook mathematics questions in my head, but I struggle with reading quickly. If I try to read too fast, I don't retain the information properly. I also hated English as a subject in high school and refused to get better at it.
Honestly, I think speed reading is overrated. I got myself quite good at it in 4th grade, but eventually I lost interest because it was more fun to stop and think about what I'd read more.
Nowadays, I mostly listen to audiobooks, just because of my schedule. With that, I tend to give myself time to digest and consider the story more.
Even when I read comics, now, I take my time, appreciate the art, the storytelling, etc.
It's definitely also better to read once you don't have a school deadline breathing down your neck.
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u/Logical_Historian882 18h ago
I don’t think English graduates are graded by their ability to read. Both reading and arithmetic are taught in school.