Blame it on Apple the creators of iPod or the makers of its predecessor the MP3 player or old Mr. Jim Harris, a computer programmer in Memphis, who landed on the pages of New York Times who was able to read/listen to about 54 unabridged audio books. People, he only read a small number books, but calls himself a lifelong bookworm.
So what have really made people get hooked to MP3 audio books? Let us try to review first the concept of reading. Is it in any way better than listening? No, think again.
The modern day world just realised that there’s a simple way for a book to get along with the “cool” concept. It made itself not just hip with its sleek design device; it made itself more portable.
Oh come on, would you rather bring a hardbound Harry Potter Volume 6 than your iPod where you can actually hear great Dumbledore as he reigns over Hogwarts?
It might be why the National Endowment for the Arts said that fewer Americans are reading than a decade ago. A third of them they say are listening to MP3, iPod, CDs and DVDs.
It is said that audio books have redefined reading. Where it used to be an activity that requires devoted time; it can now be a part of your daily routine. Digital audio that can be downloaded on MP3 has led into numerous converted readers.
Why it might suffice that the smallest iPod can hold up to four books. You might even like the latest version where you can speed up narrations without increasing pitch.
Technology has a way of changing things, but of course what does the literati think?
They still stand by the written word, saying actors’ breathing on audio might not do the book justice.
But if this is the only way for common people to understand and appreciate literature, then let people listen to the word than never to read it at all.
Deep reading as critics say has become less popular, as it requires the inner and outer ear.
The truth is, reading can still be there, but when it’s almost rush hour and you’re in bottle-neck traffic, who would like to open Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s thick paperback of One Hundred Years of Solitude?
Not Mr. Harris who owns the latest iPod.
 The Help by Kathryn Stockett 2011 Paperback  US $9.97
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 Out of Control by Mary Connealy 2011 Paperback Original US $15.99
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 Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk SIGNED FIRST EDITION US $60.00
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Monday 6th Feb 2012: My Prostate Cancer Diary.
So here is the problem. I have dismissed Surgery completly and that leads me to Radio Therapy as the only available conventional medical alternative.
My Oncologist want me to have Hormone Treatment to:
- a: Slow the Growth of the Cancer cells by (basically) chemically castrating me. Ouch!
- b: Shrink the Prostate down to a smaller target for his magic Death Ray.
I didn’t want to do that with Hormone treatment, but can appreciate why he wants to do that.
So I’m looking into all types of Natural and Alternative medications.
The best I have come up with is PawPaw (Papaya) as there have been quite a few studies with very promising reasults, PLUS it has been… Continue reading Prostate Cancer Diary - My Natural Alternative
Prostate Treatments and Me.
Long time coming since my last post – but I have been kinda busy…. Tests – tests and more tests 
So this is the latest:
My Urologist sent me to the Radio Oncologist because I decided I do NOT want surgery. Apparently I can’t have Brachyatherapy (my original choice) because my Gleason Score is 8 – too high, so External Beam Therapy is the only option, even though they only found cancer cells in ONE of the TEN Biopsies they took.
HOWEVER: (I am discovering LOTS of ‘Howevers’), the Oncologist wants me to have Hormone Treatment first to bring my enlarged prostate down in size.
An ‘Average’ prostate is about 40mm – about the size of a small Plum -… Continue reading My Personal Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
And it came to pass….
A week or so has gone by since I wrote the first post on my ‘Personal Prostate Journey’ and was pleasantly surprised by the comments and messages sent to me.
So thank you all – I appreciate it.
But the one thing that caught me off guard was the WAY it has effected others in my family.
The general consensus was ‘ouch’ or ‘shit’ or some other expletives too bad to mention here – but you get the idea. However it was strange from my point of view to sort of accept it as a ‘fait accompli’ when others reacted differently.
One member of my immediate family came rushing to see me, while another has not mentioned it to me at… Continue reading Who Are The Innocent Victims of Prostrate Cancer?