The website is using something called BeeLine Reader that's supposed to help people keep their place while reading or read faster. Personally, I find it makes text more difficult to read, but some people like it.
The text is using BeeLine Reader[1]. It tries to make reading faster by using that color gradient to guide the reader's eyes from the end of one line to the beginning of the next. I reads a little better with the blue and red coloring, compared to just the blue.
I find myself selecting text every now and then to make it easier to read. On the examples on BeeLineReader's website, I was surprised I didn't have to select text to read it.
The examples in the bottom of the page really helped me realize how much this helps. Seriously, I read those paragraphs with the "Bright" theme and then I read them with BeeLineReader disabled ("Off") and I could notice my brain working harder.
I realize it looks ugly as other commenters have posted before, there's probably another method that doesn't make the text look so "ugly".
If you're interested in visual tracking and reading, you might like the color gradient-based reading tool called BeeLine Reader.[1] It seeks to remediate the same problems as boustrophedon, but does so with color instead of reversed writing.
A study done by CNET and covered in The Atlantic showed that people reading with this color-based technique ended up reading significantly more text than people reading plain black text.[2]
note: I am the founder, and we got our start via a surprisingly successful Show HN post!
The reading behavior you describe is common among people who use my startup’s software, which assists visual tracking when reading. Sorry if this is taking things too far off-topic, but hopefully this is helpful for some of the people who highlight while reading on-screen.
You may be interested in BeeLine Reader [1]. It puts a color gradient on alternating lines to text to hopefully let you read faster. I think it works a little bit. When I really want to read an entire article but don't want to invest too much time, especially if it's somewhat fluffy, I'll use Spritzlet set to 700 wpm [2].
Another tool to help increase focus while reading on-screen: http://www.beelinereader.com. Testing by CNET showed that people are 35% more likely to finish an article when reading with this turned on. Would be interested to talk about collaboration, if you’re also looking to help folks focus! [username] at email-service-starting-with-the-same-letter.com
The lines are also pretty crammed, they could need some more padding. I easily find myself slipping a line while reading.
And if gwern feels adventurous (and I guess he'd like testing such kind of things), he may try something like [1] to color the text with a gradient, to allow faster reading speeds.
BeeLine Reader applies a color gradient to text that helps reduce "line transition errors" [...] This increases reading speed, particularly on mobile devices that have small screens and short lines
Err. Line transition errors are common on mobile devices, not because lines are short (the shorter the line, the less common line transition errors are), but because people are usually moving, walking, etc while holding a mobile device.
This is common among people with ADHD or visual tracking issues. Highlighting text helps focus your attention, and it provides a visual guide as you move between adjacent lines.
If you find highlighting to be useful, check out BeeLine Reader. [1] It offers a similar benefit, and also improves reading speed for many people. Disclosure: I am the creator (and am happy to give an extended free pass to any HNers who reach out!).
anecdotal [1] evidence suggests it works for me, plus it works for me, plus it makes reading long tests more enjoyable and appealing, but I get where you are coming from, it could be a distraction in your case. I guess no size fits all once again.
This is a HUGE pet-peeve of mine because I have a habit of selecting text while I'm reading. And I'm definitely not alone. I don't understand why sites continue to do this.
Cool! Reminds me of speed-reading tools, but those ususally only keep a few words in focus, not whole paragraphs. This is almost the opposite, way more relaxed!
What really helps me with reading long articles online is a little "% read" counter in readup.com. This app tries to track exactly what you're reading. The feeling of getting credit for actually reading something adds motivation to read it, and helps me get through small moments of distraction (disclaimer: I'm working for Readup. Here's how that tracking works! https://blog.readup.com/2020/11/02/how-readup-knows-whether-...)
http://www.beelinereader.com/
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