Speed reading techniques

[quasar]

I am currently thinking about taking one of those fast-reading courses. Since they are expensive--about 450-500$--I would like to be sure that they will indeed fulfill their promised benefits before I commit.

I assume that some of you might have first hand experience with such speed reading techniques. Any feedback you could venture my way regarding its effectiveness, degree of time and effort it requires, reading speeds attainable, amount of comprehension and retention as well as the basic techniques and exercises used, will be greatly appreciated.

Any links to informative sites pertaining this matter will also do fine. Thanks in advance dopers!

By the way, how long did it take you to read this? :D

A clarification for Manhattan and Chronos:

I understand this is kind of a poll question--and in that sense of subjective nature--but it does ask for specific information regarding the aforementioned subject and thus can be considered a general question. Plus, this inquisition is of certain relevance and hence more in tune with the pursuits of this forum than others such as IMHO. Besides, I believe that the dopers who frequent this forum are more likely to provide better-informed responses.

[manhattan]

Originally posted by quasar

Any links to informative sites pertaining this matter will also do fine. Thanks in advance dopers!


You're welcome (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a920214.html).

[Zenster]

In order to finish books quickly, avoid ones like War and Peace.

[DRY]

Originally posted by Zenster
In order to finish books quickly, avoid ones like War and Peace.


And didn't Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes say something like "Reading is easy if you don't sweat comprehension" (after flipping through a book)?

[quasar]

Originally posted by Zenster
In order to finish books quickly, avoid ones like War and Peace.


How about The Bible, "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" or Das Kapital?

Upps! I just realized I am hijacking my own thread. Damn it.

[Kyberneticist]

And yes, it's mostly bunk.
But there is a difference between people who read and sound out in their head every single word, and people who have read a lot and just recognise blocks of words. English is fairly repititious, and when I'm reading, blocks of words sorta jump out in the same way individual words do.
I assume other people who read a lot do this too, and it probably just comes through practice with the language
This is generally no help, however, with poetry or technical documentation (unless it's a field you're very familiar with).

[Kyberneticist]

You know what, thinking about that, that's essentially what Cecil said.
I don't know if it'd be called "skimming" though. I do feel that I'm understanding the sentence, just breaking it up into larger pieces.
*shrugs*

[Stupendous man]

http://www.skepdic.com/speedreading.html