For the general population, reading remained the only option to study new information until about the 1940s. Today there is the Internet, which combines all methods. The most popular is the video format because it is the easiest to understand. However, this doesn't make it the best. Information comes in different directions, and in some cases, it is still better to read, in others, it is better to watch or listen. 

When It Is Better to Read 

There are a number of times when it's better to read. For example, when you need to clarify some information that is not too extensive. Suppose you are interested in someone's biography or some historical event. You can find that on YouTube, but it is much more effective and even faster to read an article or two on the same Wikipedia or a more specialized resource. 

It's better to read the news, too, because, first, you can find independent or at least diversified sources, and second, it's much faster. By leafing through the news feed, you can skip the unworthy infopods and, on the contrary, go deeper into the area you are interested in. 

Reading is a must when one wants to delve into an area, be it science or professional work. And it doesn't matter if you want to become a guru in the best live casino Canada or in something more complicated, like physics. It is definitely better to spend hours or even days here, but to get unique information from a truly authoritative source. Such information will be absorbed much better, and most importantly, will be much more complete and accurate than the story of a blogger from the category of "5 Amazing Facts About...". Bloggers aren't only private channels but also such giants as National Geographic. They are only good as popularizers, but information from their films is definitely not to be taken for granted. 

When It Is Better to Watch

Videos can be watched whenever you want - you just need to understand that this is almost always entertainment content, and there is nothing wrong with that. The brain also needs discharge, so it's a good idea to have a couple or three entertaining but high-quality channels in your subscriptions. Sometimes it's better to watch a movie than read a book, unless it's an acclaimed masterpiece of world literature. 

The video format is excellent for a superficial introduction to a new topic. Often a video is better suited for an introduction to a new profession. For example, web design or programming. It is unlikely to master the skills at a high level, but you can get a general idea of the profession. If you choose to read in this case, there is a risk of spending many days literally wandering in the dark. It is not always possible to know exactly where to start. 

When It Is Better to Listen

Information can be assimilated in a passive mode, and it can be anything. Of course, if you listen to a lecture in the background, on your way to work or while jogging, only a small portion of the total amount of information will be absorbed. Maybe 10-20%, but you get that percentage with no effort. There is an opinion that Generation Z works better in two-channel mode, which means they have this passive form that can absorb even more information. If this is indeed true, it is almost always better for them to listen in the background. However, there's nothing stopping you from listening to the same recording several times. You have to go to work or for a run every day - today you learn one part of the information, tomorrow new details are added to it, and so on until you learn it completely. 

Another big advantage of this method is that you can convert any video into audio by simply cutting out a track. Any video editor will be great for this purpose. Anything on YouTube can be on your playlist on your smartphone.