I ask this question because browsing through Nairaland, I find people stating that a particular post is too long for them to read, someone else "should read and summarise it for them." I get really angry when I see such comments; I feel it is either you are interested in a write-up or you are not. Either way, it is your choice. However, when you ask other people to read for you, that is just laziness in my opinion and is a very wrong attitude to have especially if you are a youth. How can you learn when you cannot read. Think about it, someone actually wrote that which you seek to dismiss; where do you stand in comparison to that person?

It's a very pitiable state we are in. I gave one of my notes to someone to read yesterday, before she got halfway she was already complaining that it was too long. But I know she won't be bored watching one of those stupid Nollywood or is it Nakedwood movies for hours. Yet she could not spend 5mins to read a short article.

The reader has to know that what they're reading is interesting before they keep reading. If you don't hook them in the first few lines or pages, then the writer is just as at fault as the reader.

^I know of what you speak of. However, we have many lazy people whose refusal to read a story/article or anything else has nothing to do with the abilities of the writer. They wouldn't be asking other people to summarise for them if they didn't have interest, they are just lazy and will hardly improve that way.

maclatunji: I ask this question because browsing through Nairaland, I find people stating that a particular post is too long for them to read, someone else "should read and summarise it for them." I get really angry when I see such comments; I feel it is either you are interested in a write-up or you are not. Either way, it is your choice. However, when you ask other people to read for you, that is just laziness in my opinion and is a very wrong attitude to have especially if you are a youth. How can you learn when you cannot read. Think about it, someone actually wrote that which you seek to dismiss; where do you stand in comparison to that person?

Not necessarily though.

Sometimes the writer or poster is equally at fault and I can think of a few examples:

* When the writer / poster on a particular thread simply pastes a link and directs people to click on it. I think this is laziness on the part of the writer and in such an instance it would be a lot better if the writer first gives their views on a particular topic before pasting a link for further information. Just as Myne White mentioned earlier, if the writer captivates my interest within the first few lines - and I mean really captivates my interest, then I'll click on the link to learn more.

* When the writer's language construction is extremely poor. In this instance you find going through the poster's write up really tasking and almost unbearably painful. In such cases I know I'd rather someone else reads it up for me or the poster simply summarizes it, moreso if there is hardly any use of punctuation and the write up seems to go on and on and on. . .

I think it all boils down to how creative the writer is with presenting their arguments / facts. I've seen a couple of topics initiated by the poster and even though these were quite lengthy, boy did they express themselves well and I was truly captivated hook, line and sinker. Here's an example I found a few days ago: A debate on whether we as Nigerians are arrogant or not.

https://www.nairaland.com/898486/hate-arrogance-nigerians

^Okay, I agree with that.