Not everyone is as good at reading and writing as you are

It may be hard for you to understand this; reading is a skill. Unless you have recently started learning a new language with an unfamiliar writing system, you probably do not remember the tedious and agonising process of having to train your brain to recognise printed characters.

Extracting meaning from the words you are reading is seamless. The occasional antediluvian aphorism notwithstanding, your eyes glide across the page and your brain rapidly fills with thoughts.

I can feel your fingers itching to write a reply. You probably don't even glance at the keyboard as your mind instantly constructs beautiful sentences, in perfect grammar. Your fingers dance a steady 60WPM.

"Why do people put their tutorials on YouTube?!!?", you cry and rage.

There are three main reasons. In no particular order:

1. YouTube is monetised and the written word isn't. "Like and Subscribe" pays the bills in a way that text doesn't.
2. Some information is better shown visually. Seeing what an icon looks like and how a screen is supposed to react is useful semantic information.
3. It is easier.

Reading and writing are difficult. Go find any 7 year old and ask them to tell you a story - they will happily chat away for hours as they regale you with epic tales which would make Homer blush.

Now ask them to write their story down.

Kids can be pretty fluent speakers and listeners by the time they're 5.

But writing and reading takes longer.

I've redrafted this blog post a few times. I've gone back and tweaked the wording. I thought heavily about the exact structure I want to use.

I also held this conversation in a pub, with a friend. Despite the volume of other patrons, our inebriation, and the distractions around us, speaking and listening was simple. I expressed meaning, they received and understood me.

Writing is effort. It is especially hard for some people.

Speaking is easy. It also allows for a much greater array of semantic nuance.

Videos show details that text simply cannot capture.

Some people don't have the cognitive ability to fluently express themselves in your chosen medium.

I think this post sums it up best:

pdcawley

@Piers Cawley

You know what's more punk than grumbling at young people who don't cleave to your media preferences?

Learning to adapt and engage with what they're telling you through their chosen media.

Signed, a grumpy and only mildly punk old fart.

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Further reading

• How People Read (GOV.UK)