Just how fast can you talk? The answer is 'a lot faster than you think'. Apparently, speech rate isn't limited by the listener, but rather by the speaker. From an article in the New York Times:
"In normal conversation, only a small part of the brain is taxed, leaving excess processing power to be used for listening for lurking predators, filtering out background noise or simply daydreaming."
So what? Well, digitally speeded up audio would allow you to listen to radio, audio books and newspapers a lot faster, leaving you more time to listen to more or get on with other things. Digitally altered speech doesn't have the 'chipmunk' speed we all associate with fast speaking and is much easier to comprehend than humans just speaking faster. This is also one instance where having a British accent actually helps. A blind person whose interface with computers is audio-based, in the form of a synthesized voice that reads text aloud, says he prefers British English to American:
"When I listen to the newspaper, I tend to go as high as 650 words per minute. With the more clipped British speech, I can increase the rate even faster".
via: techdirt
Posted by Joe at October 2, 2003 09:51 PMOne of my pet peeves is going to a presentation, being handed the packet and then having the presenter read to me what's in my hands. Not only can I read for myself, but I'm usually on the last page while he's still on the first.
A lot of people I know evidently speak much faster than their minds operate. One needs look no farther than the person who used to be called 'the leader of the free world'.
Posted by: DJ at October 6, 2003 10:30 AM> the person who used to be called
> 'the leader of the free world
LOL!
Posted by: Joe at October 6, 2003 04:49 PM