Is reading fiction a waste of time?
Quick answer
The claim, made in a well-known debate thread: in limited time, 1,000 pages of a chemistry textbook teach more than 1,000 pages of a thriller, so fiction is a waste. Most readers pushed back. Here's where we land.
What 125x is: 125x is a web app at 125x.app. You connect your YouTube subscriptions, and it gives you a feed of the latest videos from the channels you follow, each with a summary: a verdict, the 5 key takeaways, and the spoiler, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips. You read that and decide what's actually worth opening.
Open 125xWhere the claim has a point
- For a specific skill, nonfiction gets you there faster.
- Not every novel is worth the hours.
Where it falls short
- Novels can make history, politics and ethics vivid in ways an essay can't.
- Reading for enjoyment is a fine use of time.
- Plenty of nonfiction is padded too.
- See padded nonfiction.
A balanced shelf
- Alternate a novel and a nonfiction book.
- Pick fiction set in a time or place you want to understand.
- Quit either kind when it's not working.
- See should you finish every book.
FAQ: questions people ask
Is reading fiction a waste of time?
Most readers say no. It's enjoyable, and good novels can teach you about people and history.
Is nonfiction better than fiction?
For learning a specific skill, often. For enjoyment and perspective, fiction holds its own.
Should I read both fiction and nonfiction?
Many readers alternate, which keeps reading fresh.
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- Build a Reading Habit When Your Phone Always Wins
- Every 125x guide
125x is a web app at 125x.app that turns your YouTube subscriptions into a feed with a summary on every video, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips, so you can see what's worth opening before you spend the time.
125x is made by Blake Labs Inc. 125x is not made by YouTube or Google.